Katherine Beissner tapped to lead College of Health Professions

Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD, has been named dean of the College of Health Professions. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced by President and Health System CEO Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP.

Beissner has served as interim dean of the College of Health Professions since December 2016. She joined Upstate a year earlier as professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy Education. From 1986 to 2014, she served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College, including as interim associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance.

At Upstate, Beissner oversees a college that offers degrees in 10 allied health professions, from cardiovascular perfusion to respiratory therapy. Graduates of the college are among the most in demand as the number of jobs in the allied health field continues to grow.

Beissner serves on various university committees, including the University Executive Committee. She also served as co-chair of the Presidential Symposium on Society and Health, held in March.

Beissner has contributed to dozens of publications and journals, writing on such topics as health care at home, geriatric pain management and pain neuroscience education. Her  research has looked at pain, impairment and function, predominantly in the older adult population.

She holds a PhD in instructional design, development and education from Syracuse University, a master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center.