New Um Dean Prepares For Two New Programs
Author: Adam Tallman, Missoulian Reporter
New UM Dean Prepares for Two New Programs
Adam Tallman
Missoulian Reporter
For six months, Matt Fete has been at the helm of the University of Montana's College of Health. Already, he's overseeing preparation for two upcoming degree programs: a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy and a Masters of Physician Associate Studies.
The new degree programs are both results of UM's market research, which found a need for more occupational therapist and physician associate graduates. According to a study done by the Montana Department of Labor, Montana needs 40-70 more physician associates and 33 more occupational therapists per year to meet state demand. The occupational therapy program already has more applicants than slots for its first year, Fete said.
"I've never seen a university so committed to state problems," Fete said.
A priority of the UM College of Health, he said, is making sure needs are met in rural areas and making sure Montana professionals can be trained affordably. Though some OT and PA programs exist in Montana, none are on offer at a public college. Physician associates are particularly important for rural, critical access hospitals, Fete said. He's particularly passionate about addressing in equalities in care and wants to make sure there's better access to health for rural and Indigenous Montanans.
The occupational therapy program will start in the fall semester of 2025, while the physician associate program will start in fall 2026. The occupational therapy program will belong to the existing School of Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupation Sciences, while the physician's associate program will probably get its own school.
Fete's already got his eye on other ways to improve the college, such as better marketing.
"We don't do a good enough job of telling young people what they can do with health," Fete said. He'd like to have the college do tours of high schools to get more young people to know the career possibilities in the health field.
He was attracted by UM's R1 status and research output, as well as the strong foundation he could build on at the College of Health.
"I really wanted to be back in the mountains," Fete said. "This was the only job I applied for last year."
So far, he's adjusting well from living in the big city to a place where he runs into neighbors at the grocery store.
"There is no anonymity in Missoula," Fete said.
This article was published in the Jan. 02 Helena Independent Record.
