Dr. Gwen (Wagstrom) Halaas ’75 has been named vice chancellor of academic affairs at WSU Health Sciences Spokane.
“I am excited to be on the leadership team at Washington State University Health Sciences in Spokane, preparing future health care workers and leaders,” Halaas said. “Especially in these stressful times, we know the value of dedicated, compassionate, and competent health care professionals.
Halaas will work with WSU Health Sciences colleagues and programs to expand and enhance interprofessional education. She will also work with faculty across the WSU system to engage health care delivery systems, health plans, and other health-related business to improve population health.
After graduating from Concordia, Halaas earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and trained in family medicine at the University of Minnesota. She also received an MBA in health care from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.
Halaas is the former medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and senior associate dean at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She has worked in medical education since 1986 as a faculty member and in administrative roles. Halaas has directed family medicine residency programs and rural longitudinal training programs for medical students, mirroring the efforts of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. She was also director of the Center for Interprofessional Education at the University of Minnesota.
Halaas has also been a leader and teacher in interprofessional health education. She was awarded the Minnesota Academy of Family Physician Teacher of the Year in 2008. She practiced family medicine for many years in Minnesota.
The mission of the college made a lasting impression on Halaas and influences her life to this day.
“My time at Concordia inspired me to make a difference in the world and prepared me for the skills needed,” Halaas said. “Thanks, Concordia!”