MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — On July 31, 2026, the Larkin University Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Albert (Bart) Whitehead as the University’s Interim Provost, establishing the position to strengthen academic leadership during a period of unprecedented institutional growth.
As Larkin University continues the expansion of its academic programs, prepares to launch its School of Dental Medicine, advances the development and accreditation of its College of Medicine, and broadens its impact in health professions education, the Board determined that the University’s executive leadership structure should evolve to meet the increasing complexity and opportunities associated with this next phase of growth.
Dr. Whitehead has served as Dean of the College of Biomedical Sciences at Larkin University, where he has provided outstanding leadership and played a key role in advancing the University’s academic mission. He brings more than 23 years of executive leadership experience in higher education and is nationally recognized for his expertise in academic administration, enrollment management, admissions, student affairs, and institutional operations.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Whitehead has held senior leadership positions in both dental and medical education, including serving as Assistant Dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and Assistant Dean at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. His experience spans virtually every aspect of academic administration, including admissions, student services, financial aid, academic advising, and strategic enrollment management. Over the course of his career, he has reviewed thousands of professional school applications and mentored more than 4,000 future healthcare professionals, helping shape the next generation of clinicians and healthcare leaders.
Beyond his institutional leadership, Dr. Whitehead has served in numerous leadership roles with national organizations, including the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). He is also an accomplished educator and author, having co-authored the first edition of Barron’s Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Review and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Whitehead holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), a Master of Education (M.Ed.), and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), reflecting a unique combination of clinical, academic, and executive leadership expertise.
“As Larkin University enters the next chapter of its development, strengthening our academic leadership is essential to achieving our strategic vision,” said Dr. Rudi H. Ettrich, President and CEO of Larkin University. “Dr. Whitehead’s remarkable breadth of experience in health professions education, his proven leadership, and his unwavering commitment to academic excellence make him exceptionally well qualified to serve as Interim Provost. Having already demonstrated outstanding leadership as Dean of our College of Biomedical Sciences, he is uniquely positioned to help guide our academic enterprise as we continue building one of the nation’s premier health sciences universities.“
As Interim Provost, Dr. Whitehead will serve as the University’s Chief Academic Officer, providing strategic leadership for academic affairs across all colleges. He will oversee academic planning, faculty development, enrollment management, curriculum oversight, and collaboration among the University’s academic units while working closely with the President to advance Larkin University’s mission and strategic priorities.
Founded in 2013, Larkin University is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. The University currently offers programs in pharmacy, physician assistant studies, biomedical sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences and is preparing to launch its School of Dental Medicine while continuing the development of its future College of Medicine.
The appointment of Dr. Whitehead reflects Larkin University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and preparing compassionate healthcare professionals to serve South Florida and communities around the world.