Dr. Wendy Gelbard to head student wellness

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Dr. Wendy Gelbard

Dr. Wendy Gelbard, an accomplished health care professional with more than 30 years of clinical, teaching and administrative experience, has been named associate vice president for Student Health, Counseling and Wellness.

She begins her new job Nov. 16.

“I am excited to have Dr. Gelbard join the RIT community and to direct her expertise and passion for health care as it relates to the ‘whole person’ and to lead RIT in developing an exemplary integrated student health care program,” said Sandra Johnson, senior vice president for Student Affairs.

Gelbard is currently associate chair for clinical operations at Strong Memorial Hospital’s emergency department.

“Until now, I have been in acute care medicine for my entire career,” Gelbard said. “For almost 25 years, my efforts have been focused in emergency medicine and I have had a wonderful career caring for our Rochester-area residents. At RIT, I hope to shift my efforts from crisis intervention to health maintenance, wellness and prevention.”

Gelbard said RIT’s Student Health, Counseling, Wellness and Disability offices have great staffs who clearly put the needs of students first.

“The RIT campus houses such a wonderfully diverse group of people,” she said. “What better place to begin a new chapter? I am honored to become part of your team and campus community.”

A native of Miami, Gelbard received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and romance languages from Bowdoin College in Maine. She received her medical degree from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and finished her emergency medicine residency training in 1998 at the University of Rochester.

She lives in Pittsford and loves Rochester’s four seasons, even the snow. She enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, the jazz festival, Fringe festival, farmers’ markets, art festivals, food truck rodeos, music and theater.

Gelbard called RIT “a spectacular institution. I was most impressed with the people I met during the interview process. Their passion for RIT and their desire to strengthen the student experience was so evident. It will be great to work together to achieve our mutual goals: to support and enhance an exceptional student journey—giving students the necessary tools to stay well, productive and healthy.”