Top Administrators Promoted at WesternU

Several high-level administrators at Western University of Health Sciences

(WesternU) have received promotions.

“”As the University has grown in size and reputation, it allows us to

direct the expertise of our top administrators toward the growing

complexity of today’s higher education environment,”” said Philip

Pumerantz, PhD, president. “”Our management team will lead us with strength

and vision as we go on to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead of

us.””

Carl E. Trinca, PhD, has been named executive vice president of strategic

planning/chief planning officer (CPO). In his new position, he will be

responsible for strategic planning, revenue planning, new resource

development and enrollment management. He also remains as acting dean of

WesternU’s College of Pharmacy.

Christopher Oberg, PhD, is now the University’s executive vice president

of administration/chief administrative officer (CAdO). His new duties

include the leadership of the University’s information technology,

library, multimedia, bookstore, human resources, purchasing and mailroom

departments. In addition, Dr. Oberg also will work to expand WesternU’s

information infrastructure as well as develop networking services to other

educational bodies and governmental bodies throughout the region.

The former dean of WesternU’s College of Allied Health Professions, Gary

Gugelchuk, PhD, is now the vice president of academic affairs, while

Stephanie Bowlin, EdD, PA-C, has been promoted to acting dean of the

College of Allied Health Professions. Dr. Gugelchuk’s new duties will see

him working with the University’s executive vice president of academic

affairs/chief academic officer to oversee and monitor the activities and

quality of all current and developing academic programs of the university.

Mike Peshkam, PhD, will now serve as vice president of information and

instructional technology/chief information officer (CIO), and will focus

on expanding the University’s digital information infrastructure.

Brian Chilstrom, MA, is now director of risk management and will be

responsible for issues involving WesternU’s legal liability, risk

management and insurance initiatives.

Three WesternU faculty members also received promotions. Alan Cundari, DO,

has been named the chair of Department of Family Medicine in the

University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), while

Guru Betageri, PhD, has been promoted to professor of pharmaceutical

sciences in the College of Pharmacy.

In addition, Roy Guizado, MS, PA-C, is now the acting chair for the

College of Allied Health Professions’ Department of Physician Assistant

Education.