College of Health Sciences Appoints New Dean
Announcing Dr. Terezie Tolar-Peterson as Dean of the College of Health Sciences
Touro University California (TUC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Terezie Tolar-Peterson as the new Dean of the College of Health Sciences (CHS). A distinguished registered dietitian, educator, and internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Tolar-Peterson brings over two decades of experience in clinical nutrition, public health, and academic leadership to this pivotal role.
Dr. Tolar-Peterson's career spans renowned institutions across the country, including her recent role as Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology at California State University, San Bernardino. She has also held faculty and administrative appointments at Mississippi State University, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Memphis. Her academic credentials are equally notable, with an Ed.D. in Higher and Adult Education and a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, complemented by dual bachelor's degrees in Physical Therapy and in Public Health and Nutrition.
Her clinical experience includes a decade at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she contributed to advancements in pediatric oncology nutrition. As a prolific scholar and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and led interdisciplinary research funded by over $4 million in competitive grants from USAID, USDA, and the U.S. Department of Education to name a few. Dr. Tolar-Peterson’s early work as a Nutritionist and Preventive Medicine Specialist in Mexico and Argentina gave her firsthand experience addressing health disparities for communities in need. These international roles reflect her deep commitment to culturally responsive care, aligning seamlessly with TUC’s mission.
Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Campus Provost and CAO, kindly announced the arrival of the new dean. "I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Tolar-Peterson as the new Dean of the College of Health Sciences. With her strong background in healthcare education and leadership, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly benefit our students and faculty. We are excited to have her join us and look forward to collaborating with her as we continue to build upon our strong foundation and further elevate the impact of our health sciences programs."
What Does Becoming Dean Mean To You?
In joining TUC, Dr. Tolar-Peterson brings a visionary and empathetic approach to leadership. “I am absolutely honored and thrilled to serve as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences at TUC. This role feels like the culmination of my lifelong journey—a journey that has included clinical practice, teaching, research, grant writing, and leadership as a department chair. Each of these experiences has uniquely prepared me for this position, and now, everything comes together in a meaningful way,” shared Dr. Tolar-Peterson.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to collaborate with our exceptional program directors and department chairs. I’m equally eager to work alongside fellow deans across TUC and with colleagues from our sister campuses. Together, I believe we can elevate the College of Health Sciences to new heights.”
Dean Tolar-Peterson’s Vision for CHS
“My top priority is the success and well-being of our students and faculty. My vision aligns closely with the core values of TUC: academic excellence, compassion, collaboration, and innovation,” explained Dean Tolar-Peterson.
“I want our academic programs to be responsive to the needs of today’s learners—without compromising academic rigor. This may involve developing accelerated pathways, combined degree programs, flexible online or evening formats, and fully integrating technology and artificial intelligence where appropriate.”
“At the same time, I believe deeply in the value of compassionate healthcare. Compassion is what makes medicine human. Without it, even the most cutting-edge advancements can fall short. As educators and healthcare professionals, it’s our responsibility to cultivate both clinical excellence and empathy.”
Goals for the Future of CHS
“One area I’m particularly passionate about is interdisciplinary education. In real-world clinical settings, no one works in isolation. Whether you're a nurse, doctor, physician assistant, public health professional, imaging specialist, dietitian, pharmacist, social worker, physical therapist, or administrator, healthcare is fundamentally a team-based, collaborative endeavor.” Dr. Tolar-Peterson continued, “That’s why I want to work with our leadership team to integrate interdisciplinary case studies and team-based simulations into our curricula. These experiences will better prepare students for the complex, collaborative environments they’ll enter after graduation.”
This transition also marks the conclusion of Dr. Steve Jacobson’s tenure as Interim Dean. TUC extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jacobson for his dedicated and steady leadership during this period of transition. His contributions have kept the College of Health Sciences thriving and well-positioned for its next chapter.
Dr. Tolar-Peterson stepped into her new role with the following sentiment of what’s to come, “There is truly nothing more meaningful to me than helping others. Being in healthcare, and especially being entrusted with preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, is a profound privilege.”
Please join in welcoming Dr. Tolar-Peterson to the Touro University California community as she leads CHS to an exciting future of growth, innovation, and impact.