Christopher Noren has been appointed the College of Health’s Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs. He is the longtime director of rehabilitation therapy services, acute care therapy services, and Huntsman Cancer Hospital therapy services for the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics.
Noren succeeds Robin Marcus, PhD, PT, who retired in June. Marcus had held the position since 2017. The assistant dean of clinical affairs oversees all aspects of clinic operations and patient care within the COH, engages with University of Utah Health Sciences and University of Utah Health Care, and provides leadership for opportunities for the COH in health care delivery and transformation efforts.
“Chris brings a wealth of clinical leadership to this role,” said Scott Ward, PhD, interim dean of the College. “In his role with U of U Health, he has successfully overseen rehabilitation therapy services for the past 16 years. He has directed growth, strategic changes, and quality improvement of inpatient rehabilitation services with the University Health system. His experience with clinical operations, regulatory compliance, and professional development of staff will bring an important level of insight to the dean’s leadership team in the College of Health. I am excited to welcome Chris to this leadership role and look forward to working with him.”
“I also wish to extend my deep appreciation to Dr. Robin Marcus, our previous Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, for her remarkable leadership and insight in furthering the advancement of the clinical operations in the College.”
An occupational therapist by trade, Noren also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the college’s Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies. In his senior director position with U of U Hospitals and Clinics, he directs and oversees the clinical operations, human resources, quality improvement, clinical programs, and financial management of occupational, physical, speech and recreational therapies across inpatient units at University of Utah Hospital, the Craig H Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Hospital. He has held the position since 2006, previously working as a registered occupational therapist for numerous national and regional healthcare organizations.
“I am honored to be able to work with the College of Health in this new role to support the continued clinical integration and growth of the faculty clinics to advance the mission of education future clinicians as well as providing valuable services to the community,” Noren said. “By leveraging the strengths of our hospital based clinical operations with the educational excellence of the College, we will be able to grow the rich hands-on learning opportunities that are unique to a unified academic medical center.”
Noren will keep his current position with U of U Health and joins the college as assistant dean effective September 1.