KINGSTON, R.I. – July 12, 2006 — The American College Health Association has elected Richmond resident Chad Henderson, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Health Services, to the post of vice president for the 2006-2007 program year.

In their June notification letter, association President Dorothy Kozlowski and Executive Director Doyle E. Randol said the organization could not have flourished during its past 86 years without the leadership of individuals like Henderson, who have volunteered to lead and chart the course for college health over many years.

“You exemplify this legacy through your active involvement in ACHA, and we are indeed grateful that the University of Rhode Island will continue supporting you as you undertake the responsibilities of an ACHA officer, engaged at the highest level in the governance and strategic direction of our national level association,” the association leaders wrote.

According to the organization, Henderson previously served as the Region V representative and board liaison to the Volunteer Leadership Infrastructure Review Committee. He is a past president of the New England College Health Association and an active member of the Tri-State College Health Consortium.

At URI, Henderson manages a staff of 49 and an annual budget of $5.4 million.

From 1969 until his appointment to URI’s Pauline B. Wood Health Services in 1997, Henderson was in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Service Corps, attaining the rank of captain. His last military assignments were as commanding officer of a hospital and a managed care organization. He had previously overseen the conversion of the tanker Rose City to the hospital ship COMFORT.

Among his honors are: the New England College Health Association President’s Award, three Legion of Merit awards (the highest peacetime military decoration) and two Meritorious Service Medals.

He led the effort that led to initial and continuing accreditation of URI Health Services by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. In the spring, the University earned the accrediting organization’s Gold Seal of Approval for meeting national health care quality and safety standards.

URI is one of only 25 college health service centers in the country recognized by the organization.

Henderson earned his bachelor’s degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and his master’s degree in business administration with a health care administration concentration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a certificate from the Health Executive Development Program at Cornell and the American College Health Association Foundations of Leadership.

Pictured Above

Chad Henderson, URI News Bureau photo by Michael Salerno Photography