Founding Program Director – Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Founding Program Director – Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Iona University, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Founding Program Director – Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences (NYPISHS) at Iona University is seeking a visionary and dynamic individual to serve as the Founding Program Director of our new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program located on the Bronxville campus. This position is a 12-month tenure or clinical track position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with rank and salary commensurate with credentials and experience and will report to the Dean of NYPISHS.
This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of physical therapy education by developing a cutting-edge curriculum, recruiting and hiring exceptional faculty and staff, and ensuring compliance with CAPTE accreditation standards. The Founding Program Director will also collaborate closely with other allied health programs at Iona University, including Occupational Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Nursing programs to foster an integrated and interprofessional approach to healthcare education. Candidates should be comfortable working in a highly interactive and collaborative teaching/learning environment.
Responsibilities:
• Program Development: Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive DPT curriculum that meets CAPTE accreditation standards and prepares students for successful careers in physical therapy.
• Faculty and Staff Recruitment: Recruit, hire, and mentor a diverse and talented team of faculty and staff dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice.
• Accreditation Compliance: Ensure the program meets all CAPTE accreditation requirements, including the preparation and submission of necessary documentation and reports.
• Leadership and Administration: Provide strategic leadership planning and administrative oversight for the DPT program, including budget management, resource allocation, and program evaluation. Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior.
• Teaching and Mentorship: Teach courses within the DPT program and provide mentorship to faculty and students, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: Work closely with allied health programs in NYPISHS to promote interprofessional education and collaborative practice among students and faculty.
• Student recruitment and retention: Work with Graduate Director of Admissions to recruit students and work with faculty and staff in the program on retention initiatives
• Community Engagement: Represent the Physical Therapy program within the institution and the broader community, promoting the program's mission and goals.
• Service: Serve as university liaison in community and/or professional activities and organizations.
• Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Dean of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.
• Ability to fully understand and respect the culture of Iona University, its Mission and the heritage of the Christian Brothers, as well as the ability to establish strong collaborative relationships with students, faculty and staff.
Qualifications:
• Earned academic doctoral degree.
• Unencumbered PT license in the state of New York, or eligibility.
• Minimum of 6 years of full-time higher education experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level PT education program.
About Iona University:
Iona University is a private Catholic university with a main campus in New Rochelle, New York, United States. It was founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers and occupies a main campus of 45 acres in New Rochelle and a new campus, just 4 miles away, of 28 acres in Bronxville, New York. At Iona, you’ll find bright, curious students eager to achieve for themselves, and for others. The university fosters both innovative, independent thinking and a deep commitment to community.
Iona recognizes the need to stay nimble to succeed in a fast-changing world. The university offers experiential learning opportunities for every student — through community partnerships, internships, research and more. Iona students often graduate with valuable, real-world experience under their belts.
The university is widely known as a leader in preparing career-ready students. In 2021, Payscale rated Iona University in the top 14% of the best universities for a bachelor’s degree in its College Salary Report. Iona is proudly recognized as a top university for helping students achieve upward economic mobility and financial security.
About the School of Health Sciences:
The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences (NYPISHS) is principally located on Iona University’s campus in Bronxville, NY. The School offers a new vision for collaborative health care education with interprofessional experiences, the use of modern, state-of-the-art facilities in simulation technology, a disciplinary curriculum aligned with today’s workforce needs and an emphasis on community care. Home to the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, this partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian solidifies Iona’s commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
NewYork-Presbyterian has supported the creation of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences with a gift of $20 million. It is ranked one of the best hospitals in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings. The new School of Health Sciences offers a cutting-edge education in state-of-the-art new facilities. NewYork-Presbyterian is consistently recognized as a leader in medical education, groundbreaking research, and innovative, patient-centered clinical care in collaboration with two renowned medical schools, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The recently opened Kelly Center for Health Sciences spans three floors and features the most modern equipment, spaces and amenities for health care education. Notably, most of the top floor is dedicated to recreating a hospital setting, complete with simulation labs, exam rooms and training equipment on the cutting-edge of the industry.
About the Community:
Bronxville, NY, located on the trainline to Manhattan, is one of two villages within the town of Eastchester. Only 15 miles north of midtown Manhattan, the charming English-style village is nestled along the banks of the Bronx River in southern Westchester County in New York.
Celebrated residential areas are comprised of apartments, townhouses, single-family homes, even their very own "yellow brick road". Taking a walk around the Village of Bronxville, one never ceases to surprise and delight - there is always something new to be discovered and enjoy. Enchanting in its enduring charm, character and sense of history, Bronxville is filled with lush green yards, towering trees, beautiful homes, and a small-town business and community spirit that offers a much sought-after quality of life.
Application and Nomination Process:
All correspondence relating to the position of Founding Program Director – Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Iona University should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:
Dr. Lea Johnson, Assistant Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
lea@scotthealy.com
A complete application should include the following:
1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)
Applications received before June 13, 2025, will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary Range: $130,860 - $160,000/year
Iona University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.