Rowan announces leadership appointments for Virtua Health College

With three vibrant schools, Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University is an essential part of New Jersey's work to address predicted shortages of nurses, doctors and other health professionals in the state. The college also provides a home for one of Rowan University's strongest areas of research and provides clinical care to South Jersey's most vulnerable populations.

"The University's academic partnership with South Jersey's largest health system continues to reshape medical education, health care delivery and biomedical research across the region," said Chancellor Tony Lowman in a letter this week to Rowan employees. "The next few years will be pivotal in our journey forward. To that end, I'm pleased to announce we've made organizational updates to the college's leadership."

Richard Jermyn, D.O., dean of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-Virtua SOM), now also serves as vice chancellor of Virtua Health College, overseeing its three schools. In this expanded role, Jermyn oversees the college's academic, research and clinical affairs.

"Since his appointment in 2024, Dr. Jermyn has led the school to notable success," Lowman said. "With multiple campuses and a new physician assistant program under development, Rowan-Virtua SOM continues to attract record enrollments with the largest classes of incoming students statewide. Under his leadership, the school has developed new educational pathways and increased programmatic partnerships."

Terri Drye, MBA, FACHE, who previously served as system vice president, chief human resources officer for the University and VHC chief administrative officer, will now focus on growing Rowan's partnership with Virtua Health and advancing the college. Her new title is senior associate dean for Rowan-Virtua SOM and VHC chief administrative officer.

The University aims to further develop Virtua Health College into one of the nation's leading multidisciplinary health care education institutions, Lowman said, by creating new strategic partnerships, increasing program offerings and continuing to grow enrollment in the college's health professions schools, while also expanding the impact of Rowan Medicine on the health of South Jersey.

"With Terri's progressive and diverse experiences in both public and private health care systems, she will be an even more valuable resource within our academic and health care leadership team reporting to the vice chancellor of VHC," Lowman said.

Dianne Langford, Ph.D., will serve as dean of Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences and associate vice chancellor for VHC. Since her appointment as interim dean in 2024, Dr. Langford also has served as associate vice president for research for Virtua Health College, overseeing all research activities.

"Dr. Langford's thoughtful leadership has advanced biomedical engineering education and strengthened research in critical health care areas," Lowman said.

As Rowan prepares to open its new home for nursing education, Peter Rattigan, Ph.D., will continue to serve as dean of Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions . Under his leadership, Lowman said, Rowan introduced its first four-year nursing program, created new partnerships and expanded academic offerings.

"These leadership changes will help keep Rowan at the forefront of health care education," Lowman said. "I'm excited for the continued progress we'll make together as a university community."

In 2022, Rowan University partnered with Virtua Health, South Jersey's largest health system, to create Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University. The college encompasses three schools: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions, and Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences. Supported by an $85 million gift from Virtua, the University established an endowment to help fuel investments in faculty, educational programs and research.

One of two institutions in the nation to offer the M.D., D.O. and D.V.M. degrees, Rowan University includes three medical schools: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine .