SLU DCHS Announces New Clinical Health Sciences Department Interim Chairperson
The Saint Louis University (SLU) Doisy College of Health Sciences (DCHS) Clinical Health Sciences (CHS) department recently announced Crystal Botkin, Ph.D., MPH, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, as Interim Chairperson. Dr. Botkin comes to the position from serving as the CHS Vice Chairperson and the department’s Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) Program Director. In addition to serving as the CHS Interim Chairperson, Dr. Botkin will also continue to serve as the NMT Program Director.
Dr. Botkin was excited to be asked to take on this role and was eager to continue the work of the college’s CHS department.
“I am honored and humbled to have been asked to fill the role of Interim Chair for the Clinical Health Sciences department,” Dr. Botkin said. “Through my work as Vice Chair of the department, I have come to understand the importance of department chairs in the Doisy College of Health Sciences and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and expand my knowledge base in higher education administration.”
Dr. Botkin went on to explain how she views keeping the focus of the department’s various and unique programs on the students will be a top priority.
“My vision for the department is to continue to support the identity and uniqueness of all programs within the department,” Dr. Botkin said. “I am grateful to continue working with a student-focused and dedicated faculty and staff. Our students will remain the center of our hard work and future opportunities of growth and change.”
DCHS Dean Bernard Rousseau, Ph.D., MMHC, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, looks forward to working with Dr. Botkin on advancing faculty, staff and student success.
“During my early conversations with Dr. Botkin about moving into an interim leadership role, it became clear to me that she was the right person to lead Clinical Health Sciences during this time of transition. Dr. Botkin’s vision of centering the department’s efforts on advancing student success is a key component of my vision for the college. In the Jesuit traditions of the pursuit of truth, development of the whole person, and commitment to service and justice, our programs prepare health care professionals who provide reflective, person-centered care that is interprofessional and evidence based. With the launch of a new academic strategic plan at the university, the Edward and Margaret Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University is well-positioned with its dedicated faculty, staff, students, and alumni to lead the national and international expansion of Jesuit Higher Education in the health sciences and advance clinical service, education, research, and service,” Dean Rousseau said.
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.