Peggy Valentine, EdD, has joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center as Vice President for Allied Health Education, effective Sept. 1.
Valentine comes to VUMC from Winston-Salem State University School of Health Sciences where she has served as dean since 2006. Additionally, she served as interim chancellor at Fayetteville State University from August 2019 to March 2021.
Valentine is the former associate dean in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Allied Health Sciences, at Howard University, a position she held from 1998 to 2005.
As Vice President of Allied Health Education, Valentine will have direct oversight for all allied health education programs at Vanderbilt and will ensure the highest quality educational programs and successful placement of VUMC allied health professionals in the workforce. She will serve as the primary spokesperson for allied health education at Vanderbilt, advocating for students to ensure their future success in the health care workforce, building relationships at the senior executive level across both VUMC and the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, and providing a reliable pipeline of highly qualified professionals.
“Allied Health professionals are integral to our health system’s success. Our patients benefit from the institutional investment we make to assure we have the most highly skilled individuals serving in these critical roles,” said C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for VUMC. “We are fortunate to have recruited Dr. Valentine to lead the way as we continue to grow and strengthen these programs.”
Vanderbilt’s Centers for Programs in Allied Health, under the direction of Ebony McHaskell, MS, include nuclear medicine technology, cardiovascular perfusion technology, diagnostic medicine sonography, dietetic internship and medical laboratory science.
“As a former dean, Dr. Valentine brings a unique level of expertise in allied health education to VUMC,” said Donald Brady, MD, senior associate dean of Health Sciences Education. “We will benefit greatly from her experiences, not only as we grow our own programs but also as we develop new partnerships with the community.
“Her leadership will help ensure that we build the Allied Health Education program needed for a diverse, inclusive VUMC workforce. Her caring, collaborative spirit aligns so well with our Credo and Patient and Family Promise.”
Valentine received her Doctor of Education degree from Virginia Tech and Master of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University. She began her career as a physician’s assistant (PA) following a short career as a registered nurse. She was recruited to join the PA faculty at Howard University and became department chair in 1983, serving in that role for six years.
Valentine served as chair of the Student Minority Affairs committee and chair of the AAPA Minority Affairs Committee and as president of the DC Academy of Physician Assistants. She was on the editorial board for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and helped establish Project Access, a national minority recruitment program.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Valentine to the leadership team at VUMC. Her partnership on behalf of Allied Health will be crucial as we strive to achieve our goals of patient care with a stable and interprofessional workforce,” said Marilyn Dubree, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Executive Chief Nursing Officer.
Valentine has conducted research on homeless and minority issues. She has lectured extensively on minority HIV/AIDS issues to professional and lay groups nationally and internationally. She has published in refereed journals, textbooks and HIV/AIDS training manuals and currently serves as editor-in-chief for the Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity Journal, which she founded in 2007.
“I am delighted to serve this prestigious institution. Vanderbilt is known around the world for high standards of excellence,” Valentine said. “This VP opportunity communicates in a great way that the Medical Center is serious about growing Allied Health Education to address today’s health care needs. I look forward to using my years of experience to meet this exciting challenge.”