Dr. J. Glenn Forister | Dean of the College of Health Professions

Glenn Forister, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the dean of the College of Health Professions at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. He oversees the college’s three programs: the departments of Personalized Health and Well-Being, Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy.

Dr. Forister joined HSC in 2019, coming from Oregon Health and Science University, where he led the Physcian Assistant Program to a top-five national ranking. Since his arrival at HSC, he has expanded interprofessional collaboration between faculty, staff and students. Additionally, Dr. Forister has incorporated new technologies in patient care while maintaining a personal connection between providers and patients.

Since 2001, Dr. Forister has served in various faculty and leadership roles at four different health science centers. Throughout his career, Dr. Forister has published numerous papers and a textbook, “Introduction to Research and Medical Literature for Health Professionals.” He also has served on the Research Institute of the Physician Assistant Education Association and has been a feature editor, contributor and reviewer for the Journal of Physician Assistant Education. Dr. Forister’s approach to leadership is to balance the wellness, engagement and professional development of faculty, staff and students. He understands the keys to success include resilience, presence and sustained effort.

Upon completing his physician assistant training in 1990 at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Dr. Forister practiced orthopedic surgery, family medicine and urgent care. He also served from 2000 to 2008 as a physician assistant in the U.S. Army – Army Reserve Medical Specialty Corps. He has a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, and a PhD in Education and Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University.