Following a national search, Debra “Deb” Beck, director of administration in the Habif Health and Wellness Center at Washington University in St. Louis, has been appointed the next executive director of the University Health Center.

Beck served at Washington University for the past 18 years and assumes the new role this fall.

“We have hired an outstanding student health administrator, and I am pleased to have Deb join our team at the University of Oregon,” said Roger J. Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management. “Beyond her long list of accomplishments, what’s most impressive to me is her commitment and dedication to students and families and the care they receive in a student health center. Her leadership and talents bring people together and her experience as a clinician helps guide how best to provide services to students.” 

Beck is recognized by colleagues and peers as a leader in the student health field. In her tenure at Habif Health and Wellness Center, she led the program to accreditation and introduced and expanded its insurance billing. Beck also oversaw the center’s move into a new facility in 2006 and managed the renovation of the facility in 2017. 

In collaboration with medical staff, she helped implement a full electronic medical record, a licensed pharmacy and state-of-the-art radiology, and she launched critical care pathways for emergency and urgent care.

Beck is committed to student success, having served on a number of universitywide committees at Washington University, including the Strategic Analysis and Planning Committee under the direction of the vice chancellor, and the LGBTQ Advisory Committee appointed by the provost. She is also an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.  “I am thrilled to join the outstanding team members of the University Health Center at the University of Oregon,” Beck said. “Having spent several days on campus as a finalist, I was excited to meet the terrific people providing the breadth of services offered in the University Health Center and to witness all the great work already happening. This only helped strengthen my desire to become part of the UHC and the University of Oregon team.” 

The national search for this position drew a large pool of qualified candidates from across the country, which was evaluated by a search committee comprised of staff from the health center, student services and various departments across campus, as well as two students.

“Deb brings so much to this position that I am sure she will make a significant, positive impact on the University of Oregon,” said Julia Pomerenk, search committee chairperson, assistant vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management and university registrar. “This national search, with the participation of so many UO colleagues throughout the process, has resulted in our ability to welcome Deb as a wonderful new colleague and member of our SSEM team.”

Beck holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of St. Francis, a registered nurse diploma from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University. She begins her role as executive director for the University Health Center on Monday, Nov. 12.