Christopher C. Colenda, M.D, M.P.H.
Chancellor for Health Sciences, West Virginia University
Dr. Colenda is the Chancellor for Health Sciences at West Virginia University, receiving the appointment in November, 2009. Previously, he served as the Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean of the College of Medicine of Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice President for Clinical Affairs. He is dean emeritus from Texas A&M.
He has held previous academic and administrative appointments at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University.
At the national level, Dr. Colenda is currently a board member of the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, the executive committee of the National Board of Medical Examiners, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He served for 3 years on the Psychological Health External Advisory Subcommittee for the Defense Health Board, Department of Defense.
Dr. Colenda is an accomplished geriatric health services and clinical investigator and has published over 110 articles and book chapters. Notable past recognitions include the American Psychiatric Association’s Jack Weinberg Award in Geriatric Psychiatry, Outstanding Faculty Award from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University in 2004, and the Alumni Star of the School of Medicine of the Medical College of Virginia. He is a member of AOA and Sigma Xi Honorary Societies. He was also elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 1998, and listed among the Best Doctors in America since 1994, Best Doctors in the Midwest in 1998, and Best Doctors in the Southeast in 1995.
He earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Wittenberg University, his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, and his M.P.H. degree in Health Services Administration from Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Colenda completed training in psychiatry at the University of Virginia Hospitals and at Emory University where he served as Chief Resident and Fellow. His training in preventive medicine and public health was at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Hygiene.