Frontlines Interviews

Welcome to “Frontlines”, a series of interviews with experts and practitioners working directly with college students across the country, conducted by Gerri Taylor, former Associate Dean of Health Counseling and Wellness and Director of the Health Center of Bentley University and former Co-chair of the American College Health Association COVID-19 Task Force.

These thought leadership interviews share the experiences, knowledge and insights of frontline counseling and health care staff in higher education to provide a greater understanding of the trends on college campuses and how best to address the mental health needs of college students today. 

Interview with Jamie Davidson, Associate Vice President for Student Wellness at University of Nevada at Las Vegas

Jamie Davidson, Associate Vice President for Student Wellness at University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV), found his “sweet spot” when moving from majoring in business to becoming a psychologist. He wove together his interests in spirituality, youth ministry, and collaborative care when he came into thefield of college health.  He tells us that he continues to have a passion for helping college students as they make changes which “will lay a foundation for wellbeing for their whole lives.” 

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Interview with Dr. Giang Nguyen, Executive Director of Harvard University Health Services

This FRONTLINES interview gives a fascinating look at an eloquent leader in college health whose journey, family values and wisdom are examples of excellence and expertise; Dr. Giang Nguyen is a model for all college health centers.  His journey began in Saigon, Vietnam, leaving for the United States one week prior to the fall of Saigon.

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Interview with Dr. Tondra Moore, PhD, JD, MPH, Executive Director of Health Services at Prairie View A&M University

Read about the perspective of college health from a distinguished HBCU college health administrator. Tondra Moore, PhD, JD, MPH has a unique background with degrees combining chemistry, law, public health and health care administration.  She currently serves as the Executive Director of Health Services at Prairie View A&M University, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in Prairie View, Texas.

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Interview with Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Wellbeing & Executive Director of University Health Services, University of Wisconsin

There is not one defined set of experiences which provides the path to leadership in higher education. Jake Baggott’s trajectory, extending from his time as a student employee in the health center at Southern Illinois University to his current position as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Wellbeing and Executive Director of University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin, exemplifies this.  His experience while working in the health center led him to decide that college health was the area in which he wanted to carve out his career.

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Interview with James R. Jacobs, MD, PhD, Executive Director of Vaden Health Center & Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Stanford University

If you are in the field of college health, you have likely heard of Dr. Jim Jacobs. The talented, easy-going physician from Stanford has been at the helm of numerous college health centers around the country, leaving a mark on each institution.  In our interview, Dr. Jacobs speaks candidly about his own professional trajectory as well as the joys and challenges he continues to experience in the profession he loves.  Here is an excerpt from our conversation.

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Interview with Dr. Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA, Associate Vice Provost, Chief Health Officer of University of Southern California Student Health

What does it take to make college health the “voice of public health” for the college community?  What enables it to prepare for and respond to the health challenges of the 21st century? And how has all this been challenged and advanced by COVID-19?  These are some of the questions Dr. Sarah Van Orman has addressed in her esteemed career as a clinician, administrator, and national thought leader in the field of college health.

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Interview with Dr. Jean Chin, MD, FACP, FACHA, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Georgia

As we continue to recognize the expertise of college health leaders in our FRONTLINES column, Dr. Jean Chin, from the University of Georgia, stands out.  She is a superb role model for all who have been fortunate enough to work for or with her.  She developed her focus on service to others from her parents whose ancestors came to the United States in 1870 from China.

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Interview with Debbie Beck, MD, Chief Health Officer and Director of Health and Well-Being, University of South Carolina

Debbie Beck is Chief Health Officer and Director of Health and Well-Being at the University of South Carolina.  She epitomizes resilience, inclusive management, leadership, and emergency response, which is evident throughout her career. Enjoy reading about Debbie Beck, a true leader in college health through her journey, her work and her accomplishments!

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