Provost stepping down after 40 years at UNTHSC

Thomas Yorio

 

Glaucoma researcher Thomas Yorio, PhD, who was instrumental in the transformation of UNT Health Science Center from a medical college into a graduate university with multiple schools, is stepping down as Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs effective Friday, Oct. 21.

Claire Peel
Claire Peel, PhD, PT

UNTHSC will conduct a national search to fill Dr. Yorio’s position. Claire Peel, PhD, PT, currently Vice Provost of Academic Resources and Dean of the School of Health Professions, will serve as Interim Provost.

Nicoleta Bugnariu, PhD, PT, Associate Dean of the School of Health Professions, will become the school’s Interim Dean.

“In his 40 years of service, Tom Yorio helped make the Health Science Center what it is today,” said Dr. Michael R. Williams, President of UNTHSC. “He is an outstanding researcher and has provided invaluable guidance to students and faculty as our chief academic leader.”

Dr. Yorio joined UNT Health Science Center as an eye researcher and Assistant Professor in 1977, just seven years after the university was founded as the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He guided the expansion of TCOM into a full-fledged health science center by serving as founding Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, which opened in 1993. He also was Interim Dean of the School of Public Health, the third college to open at UNT Health Science Center.

Dr. Yorio is an internationally recognized expert in glaucoma pharmacology. He is a Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, where he served as a Trustee and Vice President and received its Distinguished Service Award. In 2014, he received the Ernst H. Barany Prize from the International Society for Eye Research in recognition of his outstanding contributions to ocular pharmacology. He also is Editor-in-Chief of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Dr. Peel joined UNTHSC in 2013 after serving six years as Associate Dean for the School of Health Professions and four years as Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

“Dr. Peel has been an effective leader for the School of Health Professions and has years of experience in academic leadership,” Dr. Williams said. “She was an early adopter of our values-based culture and continues to develop her people to achieve high results. I have tremendous confidence that she will be successful in the interim role.”

Recent News

Usha Sambamoorthi
  • Our People
|Apr 17, 2025

Dr. Usha Sambamoorthi awarded top faculty honor at UNTHSC’s Spring 2025 Faculty Assembly, among six finalists

On Thursday, Dr. Usha Sambamoorthi, professor of pharmacotherapy in the College of Pharmacy, was awarded The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s prestigious faculty achievement award. Each year, UNTHSC faculty nominate one of their own to be considered by the Faculty...
Image
  • Community
|Apr 16, 2025

TCOM to be a pilot for Phase 3 of NBOME’s Core Competency Capstone project

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is continuing its work with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners as a pilot for Phase 3 of their Core Competency Capstone for Osteopathic Medicine project. Known as C3DO, the pr...
Screenshot 2025 03 19 082539
  • Community
|Apr 11, 2025

UNTHSC students take health care to underserved communities through medical missions

Three trips, thousands of miles and hundreds of students exporting health care from Fort Worth to numerous locations in Texas and Guatemala on medical mission trips offering free clinics to rural and underserved communities. More than 120 students and faculty from the Texas College of Osteopathic Me...
Mark Cunningham 40 Under 40
  • Community
|Apr 8, 2025

Dr. Mark Cunningham named one of Fort Worth’s 40 Under 40

Dr. Mark Cunnigham holds three advanced degrees. He established a thriving research lab that explores cardiovascular health in pregnant women and new mothers. He mentors future scientists, serves as a minster at his church and volunteers at local schools sharing his passion for science with kids.  ...