ASAHP Fellows
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Lawrence Abrams, Ed.D., FASAHP Dean (retired) |
Dr. Lawrence Abrams was Dean of Jefferson’s College of Health Professions, a position he held for 23 years, as well as Vice President for Student Affairs of the University. As Dean, he was responsible for the total leadership and management of the College, including academic affairs, student affairs and financial affairs. As Vice President for Student Affairs, he was responsible for the University Office of Student Affairs, including the Office of Student Activities/Commons Board, Jefferson Bookstore, Housing and Residence Life and Minority Affairs. He was one of nine senior officers of Thomas Jefferson University. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Abrams was also a Professor of Education in the Department of General Studies. After 36 ½ years at Jefferson, he retired from the University in December, 2001.
Dr. Abrams was considered a national leader in allied health education. From November, 1988 to November, 1990, he served as President of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, an organization whose membership consists of educational institutions, professional organizations, clinical services and individuals devoted to allied health education, research and service. The allied health professions comprise nearly two million professionals, more than 60 percent of the nation’s total health care workers. Dr. Abrams served for three years as Project Director of the federally funded Health Professions Data Collaborative Project. The Collaborative developed a consensus statement regarding the collection of allied health workforce data and a standardized minimal data set, including the supply, demand and utilization of the allied health work force at local, state and national levels.
A leading proponent of health careers, Dr. Abrams was the founder of the Health Careers Guidance Clinic, a program of student clinics and counselor workshops for 25 years at Thomas Jefferson University. He was also the founder and co-editor of the Health Careers Guidance Manual for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. In 1988, Dr. Abrams initiated a “National Health Careers Information Hotline.” Based at Jefferson, this toll-free 800 number was designed to provide information and guidance about health careers.
More locally, Dr. Abrams served ten years as a School Board Director of the Marple Newtown School District. He also served as an Interim School Board Director in the Lower Merion School District. He serves as an Honorary Director of the Women’s Association for Women’s Alternatives, an innovative, residential program for female-headed households, an organization that he began and served as its Chairman of the Board for three years. Dr. Abrams served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson Park Hospital and Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine and Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Senior Center. Dr. Abrams also served on the Advisory Board of The Wertlieb Educational Institute for Long Term Care Management at The George Washington University and the Advisory Panel for the developing Long Term Healthcare Management Program at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
In June, 1992, Dr. Abrams received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from The Pennsylvania State University. In May, 1998, Dr. Abrams received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. In October, 2007, Dr. Abrams received the “Legacy of Excellence Award” from the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.