Wendy Rheault

Wendy Rheault serves as President, CEO, and Professor at Rosalind Franklin University (RFU), where she has held faculty and administrative roles for over 40 years. Previously Provost (2014-2018) and Dean of the College of Health Professions (2003-2014), she chairs the Physical Therapy program and pioneered RFU’s interprofessional education model through initiatives like the DePaul University Alliance of Health Sciences.

Her educational credentials include a BS in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University, and MA and PhD in Curriculum/Instruction and Measurement/Evaluation from the University of Chicago:

• BS: Physical Therapy, Queen’s University
• MA: Curriculum and Instruction, University of Chicago
• PhD: Measurement, Evaluation and Statistical Analysis, University of Chicago

A national leader in health professions education reform, Dr. Rheault’s research centers on psychometric analysis of clinical/educational instruments using Rasch methodology. She has driven curricular innovations including expanded simulation training, population health programs, and community service models integrated with learning outcomes to foster interprofessional team-based healthcare.

Her scientific honors include:

• Fellow of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (FASAHP)
• Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (FNAP)
• Crain’s Chicago Notable Women in Education (2018)
• Distinguished Alumni of the Year, Queen’s University

As an administrator, Dr. Rheault doubled RFU’s enrollment by launching programs including Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and multiple MS/PhD degrees in Health Professions Education. She has advised graduate students through her Physical Therapy chair role and served on National Academy of Medicine committees while presenting research internationally.

Her leadership established RFU’s interprofessional framework through simulation centers and community partnerships, directly impacting healthcare education models nationwide.