Dr. Christopher Colenda Dean of Medicine

Dr. Colenda serves as the fifth dean of the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. Prior to coming to the College of Medicine, Dr. Colenda served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. Other appointments while at Michigan State included Acting Dean of the College, Associate Dean for Programs and Projects, and Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Community Affairs. Preceding his service at MSU, Dr. Colenda was Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs and Section Head for Geriatric Psychiatry at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University.

At the national level, Dr. Colenda is a member of the Governing Council of the Section on Medical Schools for the AMA, and has served as an LCME site visitor. He has served as Chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Aging, and is President of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. In 2005 he was elected as a Director for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, primarily in geriatric mental health services research.

Dr. Colenda's awards are numerous. He was recently selected as a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C. Some of his past recognitions include APA's Jack Weinberg Award in Geriatric Psychiatry, the Alumni Star for the School of Medicine of the Medical College of Virginia; Outstanding Faculty Award from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, and a Special Commendation from the Council of Aging of the American Psychiatric Association. He is a Member of Alpha Omega Alpha and Sigma Xi Honorary Societies. Dr. Colenda was elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 1998, and has been listed among the Best Doctors in America since 1994.

Dr. Colenda received his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia in 1977, his Master of Public Health degree in Health Services Administration from Johns Hopkins University in 1982, and a B.A. in Chemistry from Wittenberg University in 1974. His training in psychiatry was completed at the University of Virginia Hospitals and at Emory University where he served as Chief Resident and Fellow in Public Mental Health. In addition he completed Preventive Medicine and Public Health training at Johns Hopkins University.