Robert Garrigues, Ph.D., associate dean, College of Health Professions retires

Robert Garrigues’ 32-year career at the Health Science Center has included two very different, yet equally satisfying, leadership positions.

For 28 years, Garrigues held top financial appointments in Health Science Center administration, including the post of associate vice president for finance and operations, with responsibility for all of the center’s financial, operational and physical plant functions.

After a reorganization of the office of vice president for health affairs, Garrigues transitioned in 1997 to his current position as an associate dean of administrative affairs and lecturer at the College of Health Professions. The move led him to one of the most gratifying aspects of his career: teaching courses for the college’s undergraduate health science program.

Garrigues’ success as an instructor is evidenced by the stacks of letters he receives from appreciative former students and his recognition as the college’s teacher of the year in 2002.

“During my time here, I think all I’ve really done is set a tone for how to treat people at all levels, and in a university setting, it’s all about the people,” Garrigues said.