Touro University Nevada Appoints Wolfgang G. Gilliar, D.O. As Dean of The College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wolfgang G. Gilliar, D.O., as Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Henderson campus. Dr. Gilliar will begin his tenure as Dean effective January 1, 2019.
Dr. Gilliar comes to TUN from New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) College of Osteopathic Medicine where he served as Dean and Professor for more than five years. He previously served as Professor and Chair of NYIT’s Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, as an adjunct Assistant Professor for Stanford University’s School of Medicine, and as Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Gilliar was the Director of the Acute Brain Injury Unit at Tufts University’s Greenery Rehabilitation Center in Boston.
Dr. Gilliar, an award-winning and internationally recognized academic leader in medical education, has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Deans for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the New York Colleges of Osteopathic Educational Consortium. Dr. Gilliar was a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Medical Schools of New York. He has served as Chair of AACOM’s Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Medical Education Transition and member of the AACOM Ad Hoc Committee on Governance. Dr. Gilliar was also the Inaugural Chair of the Advanced Test Items Committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Examiners and a member of the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of State Government Affairs Telemedicine Workgroup Affiliate. Dr. Gilliar was instrumental in introducing a three-year Osteopathic Manual Medicine Curriculum to the German Society of Osteopathic Medicine which has become recognized throughout Europe. Dr. Gilliar has received numerous awards, including the Educator of the Year Award (2012) bestowed by the American Osteopathic Foundation. In 2016, Dr. Gilliar was honored by Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine as the Alumnus of the Year. Dr. Gilliar has authored or coauthored more than 20 medical textbooks and numerous publications and video presentations.
“I feel tremendously honored to have been selected as the next dean of TUNCOM. Nothing could be more rewarding than preparing the physicians of the future by bringing the biological and science concepts of medicine together with a social and cultural mission. Through its expansion and recent innovations, TUNCOM stands poised to become a leader in this enhanced form of medical education as we develop joint health education skills with the various health professions.”
Established in 2004, the university is home to nearly 1,400 students in a wide range of degree programs including the state’s largest medical school, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, nursing, medical health sciences, occupational therapy, and education. Many of these programs are the first of their kind in Nevada. This year, Touro’s College of Osteopathic Medicine increased its class size from 135 to 181, making it the largest medical school in Nevada. In addition to the ground-breaking programs offered, Touro University Nevada is home to the Sharon Sigesmund Pierce and Stephen Pierce Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, the Michael Tang Regional Center for Clinical Simulation, the Stephen J. Cloobeck Regional Center for Disaster Life Support, and the Touro Health Center.
“The Touro College and University System is pleased to have Dr. Gilliar join us as Dean of the Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, President. “As one of the nation’s top educators of medical professionals, Touro prides itself on the strength of its academic leadership. I am confident that Dr. Gilliar will be a fine addition to the Nevada campus and that his extensive background in medical education will greatly benefit the students and faculty.”
“I am delighted that Wolfgang is joining us at Touro as Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said CEO and Senior Provost, Shelley Berkley. “He brings an extensive and diverse background in osteopathic medical education. He is a respected national leader within the medical community and I know that he will help strengthen Touro’s position as the leading medical educator in Nevada and in the country.”
“The TUN campus community was very impressed with Dr. Gilliar’s academic experience, as well as his enthusiasm, and his innovative ideas,” said TUN Provost Dr. Ray Alden. “I am confident that Dr. Gilliar will play a key leadership role in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and in the University as we advance our mission areas of medical education, clinical training, research and health care service to the citizens of Nevada. We are very pleased that he will be joining us.”
Dr. Gilliar received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and with Honors in Physics. He completed a one-year rotating internship at Riverside Hospital in Trenton, Michigan before completing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gilliar is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/Neuromuscular Medicine. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a Fellow in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Gilliar completed the Health Policy Fellow with the American Osteopathic Association in 2007.
About Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada. TUN opened its doors in 2004 and is now home to nearly 1,400 students, in a wide variety of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university’s Henderson campus includes a multi-specialty health center and a multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on TUN, please visit www.tun.touro.edu or call 702- 777-8687.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris and Florida. New York Medical College, Touro University California and its affiliate Touro University Nevada, as well as Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/media/.
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