Wayne State University appointed Catherine Lysack, Ph.D., to serve as acting dean of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Dean Lloyd Young has taken a short-term personal leave of absence, and plans to return to the college this fall, at the start of the 2014-2015 academic year.

Dr. Lysack is a professor in the occupational therapy program and serves as deputy director of the Institute of Gerontology. She has been a member of the college's faculty since 1997 and has extensive experience in teaching, service and nationally funded research, as well as outstanding leadership and communication skills.

Dr. Lysack, OT(C) earned undergraduate degrees in philosophy (1984) and occupational therapy (1988) from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. She completed a master of science in rehabilitation science at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1992), and earned a Ph.D. in community health sciences from the University of Manitoba in 1997. Dr. Lysack was tenured and promoted to associate professor in 2004 and to full professor in 2008. Her major research interest is in the social dimensions of health and well-being, and understanding how people with disabilities and older adults redevelop active and meaningful lives in the community after illness and injury.

Lloyd Young introduces Acting Dean Cathy Lysack in latest issue of Synergy