Breadcrumb

Biography

Robert (Bob) Frank is a professor in the College of Population Health, the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Psychology.  He earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (CL).  Dr. Frank was selected to be a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow in the office of Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).  He continued to consult to Senator Bingaman’s office for three years after the fellowship ended.  He was asked by Governor Mel Carnahan (MO.-D) to coordinate Missouri’s state-wide health reform initiatives in 1994.   In 1995, Dr. Frank selected to be the fifth dean of the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida.  In 2007, he was appointed Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kent State University.  In 2012, he was appointed as the 21st president of University of New Mexico.  In 2017, he left the presidency and returned to the faculty.  He is now a professor in the College of Population Health where he directs the Center for Health Policy and the Center for Innovation in Education and Health.   

As president of the University of New Mexico, he oversaw a $3.1 billion budget for the state’s flagship university. He oversaw the development of programs to improve student success, including student retention and graduation. Over the five years, retention improved by 5% and graduation by 2%. He worked with the City of Albuquerque, County of Bernalillo, and the business community to create Innovate ABQ, a research district for economic development. He led the reorganization of the university’s foundation.  While he was president, the university established the Honors College and College of Population Health.  Oversaw the establishment of math and English emporiums for students lacking college-ready skills in those areas.

As Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, he revised promotion and tenure rules.   He led efforts to increase retention yielding a 6% increase in second-year retention.  He oversaw the development and implementation of a comprehensive student graduation planning and tracking system.

He oversaw the establishment of the College of Public Health with a BSPH, and MPH, and three doctoral degrees.  He oversaw the improved quality of incoming first-year class.  While provost he Implemented Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) for budgeting within Academic Affairs.  While provost, he was responsible for the $375 million division budget.

As dean of the College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP) at the University of Florida helped the transformation of the college to include the establishment and merging of the College of Public Health with the College of Health Professions, which is now CEPH-accredited and ranked 25th among colleges of public health.  Developed a strategic plan that Increased research funding from $1.2 million to $16 million.  Established new doctorates in epidemiology, health services research, rehabilitative science, physical therapy (D.PT), audiology (Au.D.), and biostatistics. Overall, student enrollment increased five-fold while he was dean.  As dean, he was responsible for $40 million college budget.  Prior to his appointment as dean, the college lacked a development program.  He oversaw the establishment of a development program for the college.  The largest gift during his deanship was $12 million which included endowing the dean’s position in his name.  He also established the Center for Medicaid and the Uninsured to support Florida’s Medicaid policy.

Areas of Specialty

  • Health Policy
  • Innovation Platforms integrating universities and cities.
  • Clinical psychology adjustment to chronic illness and traumatic injury

Certifications

Licensed psychologist in the state of Florida #5335

Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, #1536

Achievements & Awards

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, 2023, Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship, National Academy of Medicine
  • Cleve Mathews Vision Award for ABQ Innovation Ecosystem, 2017, NAIOP – Albuquerque Commercial Real Estate Association
  • Beatrice Wright and Tamara Dembo Award Lecture in Rehabilitation Psychology
  • Founders Award, 2013, College of Public Health, Kent State University
  • Appointment, Defense Health Board, a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Defense, 2011-2016, US Department of Defense
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Division of Rehabilitation Psychology, 2010, American Psychological Association
  • Recognized with the creation of the Robert G. Frank Professorship, 2010, University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions
  • Ivan Mensh Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2010, Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers
  • Presidents Medallion for Service, 2007, University of Florida (awarded by the president of the University of Florida) for extraordinary service to the University of Florida
  • Gutekunst Award for Leadership, 2003, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Distinguished Service Award, American Psychological Association Division 22, Rehabilitation Psychology
  • 46th Annual John Stanley Coulter Lecture, 1992, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Fellow, 1995, American Psychological Association: Rehabilitation Psychology, Division 22; Health Psychology, Division 38; Society of Clinical Psychology, Division 12
  • Presidential Citation for Federal Advocacy, 1996, American Psychological Association
  • Karl F. Heiser Award for Advocacy, 1996, American Psychological Association
  • Leadership Award, 1996, Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council

Key Publications

  1. Frank, R.G. (2017). Hither and Thither: How do we Innovate? Rehabilitation Psychology, 62(1), 1-6.
  2. Reid-Arndt, S.A., Frank, R.G., and Hagglund, K.J. (2010). Brain Injury and Health Policy: Twenty-Five Years of Progress. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 25(2), 137-144.
  3. Frank, R.G., Blevins, N., Dimoulas, E. (2004). Policy and Financing of Psychology Workforce. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. 11(2), 119-125.
  4. Hagglund, K.J., Sout, B.J., Frank, R.G., (2003). Gazing into the Crystal Ball: Health Care, Health Policy and Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 9(1), 63-73. An Aspen Publication.
  5. Shigaki, C., Clark, M.J., Checkett, D., Frank, R.G., (1999). Medicaid’s Not-so-Quiet Revolution: A Call to Action for Psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 30 (5), 488-494.
  6. Frank, R.G. (1999). Rehabilitation Psychology: We Zigged When We Should Have Zagged. Rehabilitation Psychology, 44(1), 36-51.
  7. Frank, R.G., Hagglund, K.J., Schopp, L.H., Thayer, J.F., Vieth, A.Z., Beck, N.C., Kashani, J.H., Goldstein, D.E., Cassidy, J.T., Hewett, J.E., and Johnson, J.C. (1998). Adaptation to Pediatric Chronic Illness: Biological and Family Contributors to Adaptation in Juvenile Diabetes. Arthritis Care and Research, 11(3), 166-176.
  8. Frank, R.G., Thayer, J.F., Hagglund, K.J., Vieth, A.Z., Schopp, L.H., Beck, N.C. Kashani, J.H., Goldstein, D.E., Cassidy, J.T., Chaney, J.M., Clay, D.L., Hewett, J.E., and Johnson, J.C. (1998). Trajectories of Adaptation in Pediatric Chronic Illness: The Importance of the Individual. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(3), 521-532.
  9. Haley, W.E., McDaniel, S.H., Bray, J.H., Frank, R.G., Heldring, M., Bennett Johnson, S., Lu, E.G., Reed, G.M., Wiggins, J.G. (1998). Psychological Practice in Primary Care Settings: Practical Tips for Clinicians. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29(3), 236-244.
  10. Chaney, J.M., Frank, R.G., Peterson, L., Mace, L.D., Kashani, J.H., and Goldstein, D.L. (1997). Transactional Patterns of Child, Mother, and Father Adjustment in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(2), 229-244.
  11. Frank, R.G. (1997). Lessons from the Great Battle: Health Care Reform, 1992-1994. John Stanley Coulter Lecture. Archives of PM&R, 76(2), 120-124.
  12. Frank, R.G. (1997). Marketing Psychology at Academic Health Centers. Journal of Psychology in Medical Settings, 4(1), 41-49.
  13. Vieth, A.Z., Hagglund, K.J., Clay, D.L., Frank, R.G., Thayer, J.F., Johnson, J.C., and Goldstein, D.E. (1997). The Contribution of Hope and Affectivity to Diabetes- Related Disability: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 4(1), 65-77.
  14. Hagglund, K.J., Frank, R.G., and Nack, M. (1997). The Future of Psychology in Medicaid’s Health Delivery System for People with Disabilities. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 4(2), 243-253.
  15. Johnstone, B., and Frank, R.G. (1997). Introduction. Neuro Rehabilitation, 8(1), 1-2.
  16. Clay, D.L., Hagglund, K.J., Kashani, J.H., and Frank, R.G. (1996). Sex Differences in Anger Expression, Depressed Mood, and Aggression in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 3(1), 79-92.
  17. Frank, R.G. (1996). The Role of Postacute Programs and Organized Delivery Systems. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 2(12), 79-86.
  18. Hagglund, K.J., Doyle, N.M., Clay, D.L., Frank, R.G., and Pressly, T.A. (1996). A Family Retreat as a Comprehensive Intervention for Children with Arthritis and their Families. Arthritis Care and Research, 9(1), 35-41.
  19. Elliott, T.R. and Frank, R.G. (1996). Depression after Spinal Cord Injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77, 816-823.
  20. Hagglund, K.J. and Frank, R.G. (1996). Rehabilitation Psychology Practice, Ethics, and a Changing Health Care Environment. Rehabilitation Psychology, 41(1), 19-32.
  21. Mullins, L., Chaney, J.M., and Frank, R.G. (1996). Rehabilitation Medicine, Systems, and Health: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Family, Systems, and Health, 14(1), 29-41.

Courses Taught

  • PH 240 Health Policy
  • PH 560 Health Systems and Globalization

Contact Information