Student Health director steps down

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA Campus Heath Director Murray DeArmond talks to a Wildcat reporter yesterday in his office in the UA Health Center. DeArmond will retire from his post as director after 30 years of service at the UA.

Although DeArmond will step down Feb. 17 from his post as director, he said his service to the University of Arizona will not diminish.

"I am not investing in the Barco-Lounger," DeArmond said. "I am feeling the need to catch my breath and explore other areas of interest. I know I will miss this work."

Joyce Meder, assistant director of health and wellness for Campus Health Services, will be promoted to director, said Saundra Taylor, vice president for campus life.

Meder, a University of Phoenix graduate, has spent more than a decade working with DeArmond. She came to the UA in 1977 and has been the assistant director of Student Health and Wellness since 1993.

"Joyce has really been the right-hand person for Dr. DeArmond," Taylor said. "Their partnership has extended the excellence of the health center."

When DeArmond steps down, he said he plans to become active in community service projects, spend time with family, read and hike.

With the university's health program on track, now is a good time to step down, DeArmond said.

"I feel very privileged to have this job," he said. "I've been constantly fascinated by this work. I still feel that way to this day."

DeArmond graduated with a bachelors degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ill., in 1957. He went on to Indiana University School of Medicine and later spent two years in Malaysia in the Peace Corps. He came to the UA in 1969 as the chief psychiatrist for Student Health Services.

Since he began in 1975 as Student Health Services director, the Life and Work Connections, the Oasis Center, the Student Health Advisory Council and Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators have been created.

The relationships with colleagues and students, however, is what he will miss the most, DeArmond said.

Taylor said the UA has been lucky to have DeArmond for nearly 30 years.

"He has been an exceptional director and the fact that we've had his leadership for three decades is amazing," Taylor said. "His ideas never age. He is always thinking for the students and the campus."

University officials will miss him as a campus figure, Taylor said.

"We are going to lose his wisdom and insight on an array of issues the campus has to deal with," Taylor said. "He has become a resource. At every level at the university his voice and wisdom will be missed."

UA officials did not conduct a national search for DeArmond's position because Meder seemed to be the right person for the job, Taylor said.

"She emerged as the best candidate we could get for this position," she said.

A national search for Meder's replacement will be conducted in January, Taylor said. An interim will take over as assistant health and wellness director until May, when the search for a permanent replacement is completed.

DeArmond said he is confident in Meder's abilities.

"She is going to be superb," DeArmond said. "She is a great role model and very imaginative. She has been wonderful (as an assistant)."

Meder said she will miss DeArmond, whom she has worked with for 12 years.

"Murray has been a wonderful mentor for me," Meder said. "When you've worked that closely with someone for so many years in a good relationship it is hard to bring it to an end."

Meder said she is excited to be promoted.

"It is always fun to move into a directorship role when you know you have great number of people to work with," Meder said. "I think we'll move along and accomplish many of the things we have on the burner."

Rachael Myer can be reached via e-mail at Rachael.Myer@wildcat.arizona.edu.