Profile of an allied health dean.

This study sought to gather baseline data about allied health deans in academic health centers in the US, their backgrounds, career patterns, role characteristics, and perceptions of professional development. The study also examined relationships that existed between a profile of allied health deans established in this study and other selected career variables. Allied health deans in 63 academic health centers were surveyed using a 55-item, self-administered questionnaire, "Today's Allied Health Deans." The results revealed that the characteristics of allied health deans did not depart significantly from those of other academic deans. All deans had fairly uniform experiences in their roles as academic officers across the country. A review of their career patterns showed that they departed slightly from the traditional career ladder models established for other academic deans.