College of Health Sciences Names New Dean and Vice President

When Telemeco discovered MBU was searching for a candidate to replace retiring dean, Lisa Shoaf, he knew the university would be a perfect fit — and wasted no time applying.

“I was inspired by Mary Baldwin’s heritage as an inclusive institution with an entrepreneurial spirit that develops leaders through an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of individual and collective successes of its students, faculty, and staff,” he said. “Collectively these values align with who I am as a person, educator, clinician, and academic leader.”

Telemeco is a licensed physical therapist and holds two doctoral degrees — one in anatomy from Virginia Commonwealth University, another in physical therapy from Shenandoah University. He has more than 20 years of professional higher education experience as a professor and in leadership roles at various universities. Resumé highlights include serving as School of Health Sciences dean at Methodist University, founding dean for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s College of Health Sciences, and, most recently, Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Mount Olive. 

Telemeco brings an impressive record of academic leadership, clinical expertise, and partnership experience in strengthening outreach, community relations, and external affiliations within the healthcare industry. His leadership style emphasizes leveraging available resources and using creativity to solve problems to benefit students, academic programs, the university, and the communities it serves. In the past he has led key efforts around reaching rural and underserved populations, including Native American tribes.

Members of Mary Baldwin’s hiring team say they were impressed by Telemeco’s approachability and progressive track record of administrative success. Also, by referrals that described him “as a builder and change agent, particularly when it comes to broadening academic offerings and expanding the geographical reach of an institution. ”

“I am delighted that  Dr. Telemeco will be joining us as the next leader of the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences,” said MBU President Pamela R. Fox. “I am confident that he is committed to the college’s focus on empowering healthcare leaders who demonstrate professional excellence and effective interprofessional collaboration that is responsive to everchanging practice environments. He is a collaborative leader, a strong voice of internal and external advocacy, and brings considerable experience in strategic vision and operational leadership. Dr. Telemeco will be an inspiring and effective leader to forge the college’s next distinguished chapter.”

Telemeco says he’s excited to settle in with his new colleagues and get to work. And he has some ambitious goals for the future. 

These include: 

• Ensuring the ongoing excellence of the college’s founding programs. 
• Supporting the outstanding faculty in their teaching and research endeavors.
• Strengthening existing relationships with Augusta Health and other healthcare and corporate partners. 
• Seeking grants and new donor support. 
• Leading the efforts to determine the next phase of new programmatic development.

“I am inspired by Mary Baldwin’s story and the challenges and opportunities involved in continuing the positive trajectory of the college,” said Telemeco. “I look forward to partnering with President Fox, her successor, and the myriad of other constituents at MBU to develop forward-looking plans for the future.”