Dean of the College of Public Health and Health Professions

David Guzick, Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Joseph Glover, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Following a vigorous national search, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael G. Perri, Ph.D., as dean of the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, effective November 6, 2009.

Dr. Perri joined the college’s faculty in 1990 and has served as the interim dean since June 2007. A professor in the department of clinical and health psychology, Dr. Perri has held several administrative positions in the college including associate dean for research, director of the psychology internship program and area head of the health psychology division.

Dr. Perri’s research findings have had a significant impact on theory, research and clinical care related to behavioral treatment of obesity. He has contributed to more than 120 scientific publications and has served as principal investigator or co-investigator for more than $31 million in research grants and contracts from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs and private industry. His current studies involve the development of effective programs for the management of obesity in underserved rural communities. In 2008 Dr. Perri received the American Psychological Association’s Samuel M. Turner Award for Distinguished Contributions to Applied Research in Clinical Psychology.

During his tenure as interim dean, Dr. Perri successfully spearheaded the accreditation of the new school of public health within the college. He also stabilized a shaky financial foundation and launched several initiatives to foster collaboration across public health and the health professions disciplines, including the establishment of a funding program for interdisciplinary pilot studies and the founding of the Florida Trauma Rehabilitation Center for Returning Military Personnel.

Dr. Perri is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology and a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the Obesity Society. He was recently appointed associate editor of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the leading peer-reviewed journal in the field of clinical psychology.

Dr. Perri earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Before arriving at UF he served on the faculty at the University of Rochester, Indiana University and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Please join us in congratulating Dean Perri on his appointment.