New Allied Health dean ready to lead department

After being named as the colleges new Dean of Allied Health, Sherry Taylor might be known in some parts of the OTC system as the new Dr. Steve. She recently replaced Dr. Steve Bishop, who was promoted to provost/vice chancellor of academic affairs.

But Taylor, who was appointed to the post earlier this month, doesn’t mind. She’s more than ready to take the reigns from Bishop and continue to advance the department as he did during his tenure.

“It’s good to have someone like Steve Bishop in the position he’s in. He knows what our program is all about. He’s there for us,” she said.

Taylor, who has been at OTC for about nine years, said part of her job will be serving as an advocate in the community for the department and its fields of study.

“The community respects OTC and our Allied Health department. Hospitals request our students and many of them have jobs waiting for them before they even graduate. We have good community contacts,” she said.

The Allied Health department, one of the most popular areas of study at the college, has waiting lists of students who want to get into one of the programs.

“We are looking for ways to expand our programs to benefit students, and in the future we may move more classes to the Richwood Valley campus where we have already placed our medical lab technician and physical therapy assistant programs,” she said.

Several major additions to the overall Allied Health department are in the works.

Last week, the Board of Trustees approved funding for the creation of a simulation center on campus that will house state-of-the-art mannequins for use by students in various fields of study, including Surgical Assistant, Nursing and Dental Hygiene.

Later this year, the first mobile hearing instrument technician vehicle will roll out with OTC personnel traveling to other state community colleges to teach the Hearing Instrument Science.

“I’m excited about the future,” Taylor said. “I want to continue to grow the programs as Dr. Bishop did and add programs as needed. I’m so fortunate to have people I work with who are passionate about their field.”

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations for Ozarks Technical Community College.