Michael Yudell

Michael Yudell, vice dean and professor at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University since 2017, has been named interim dean of college effective July 1.

Yudell replaces former College of Health Solutions Dean Deborah Helitzer who stepped down from the role on June 30. Helitzer, who became dean of the college in 2017, will remain with the college in a faculty role.

Yudell came to ASU from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2021. He said he was honored by the opportunity to lead at such an exciting time for the college and for ASU.

“ASU never sleeps,” Yudell said.  ASU is a place of ideas and a place of opportunity. There is never a dull moment here. That is the energy I want to tap into as I become Interim Dean on July 1.”

Yudell takes over as interim dean as the College of Health Solutions and other health-related entities find their place among the ASU Health ecosystem. ASU Health is the name for the university’s initiatives that will include a new school of medicine and advanced medical engineering and a school of technology for public health.

“Our job is to help define that space and our place in it,” Yudell said. “And there are great opportunities given the work we’re already doing at CHS. We can define (the College of Health Solutions) in that space in a way that both propels our college, elevates ASU Health, supports our colleagues and collaborators at ASU, and  betters the health of all Arizonans and beyond.”

The College of Health Solutions is known for its interdisciplinary structure designed to break down silos and foster collaboration among faculty and students in a variety of disciplines.

“Another thing we’re going to spend some time thinking about this year is how our unique structure can evolve to improve support for faculty research and camaraderie across the CHS community,” Yudell said. 

Helitzer said she is confident Yudell will be up to face the challenges ahead.

“I am excited for both the College of Health Solutions and for Michael Yudell to have this opportunity to work together in new ways,” Helitzer said. “Michael is passionate about health and his experience in public health and the humanities gives him a rich foundation to enhance CHS’s already significant contributions to community health. We are fortunate that he has spent the past three years becoming well acquainted with the college, the university and the local and state communities.”

 Yudell said the knowledge he has gained in the past three years will serve him well in the new role.

“I spent time learning alongside Deborah about the operations of the college and am ready to take the big chair,” he said. “It takes time to get to know a new city and institution. I’ve done a lot of listening and learning these past three years and will continue to do that. But I feel ready to apply the knowledge I’ve learned about ASU, as we lead the college  to tackle the challenges of improving health across the Valley, our state, and beyond.”