Amy R. Darragh, Ph.D., is the dean of the VCU College of Health Professions. Darragh, who joined VCU in August 2024, comes to VCU from The Ohio State University, where she served as director of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS), and vice dean in the College of Medicine. She is a nationally recognized researcher in pediatric neurorehabilitation, community engaged science, and virtual technologies. As a leader, Darragh is known for her transformational, strategic leadership, dedication to inclusive excellence, and fostering a culture of appreciation, compassion, and gratitude.

At the College of Health Professions, Dr. Darragh leads nine departments and one center, 84 full-time faculty representing 20 educational programs and nearly 1,250 students across four campuses in Richmond, Roanoke, Abingdon and Alexandria.

With an extensive history of curricular and program development at the doctoral, master’s and undergraduate levels, Darragh has focused recent efforts on expanding HRS health professions programs in partnership with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to meet workforce demand; expanding online undergraduate and graduate offerings; and designing the School’s first strategic enrollment management plan. Darragh is a licensed occupational therapist, who has centered her teaching on dynamic learning environments, universal design principles and psychological safety.

Her current research includes developing and testing novel pediatric and adult interventions that optimize patient outcomes while protecting caregiver health. Darragh’s recent work includes NIH-funded phase II and phase III clinical trials in pediatric neurorehabilitation and virtual simulation interventions for young adults and adults.

Darragh received a Ph.D. in environmental health epidemiology from Colorado State University, an M.S. in occupational therapy from Colorado State University and a B.A. as a double major in psychology and Program in the Arts, Barnard College, Columbia University.