According to a 2017 study from the National Rural Health Association, people living in rural areas suffer worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts. They are sicker, poorer and older and are more likely to experience higher rates of death, disability, and chronic disease. This is especially concerning given the proximity of rural communities in our area. There are too few clinical workers and insufficient specialists to provide the care needed. Recognizing these unique challenges and needs, WSU Health Sciences Spokane is preparing the state’s future physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals to address this critical need. DeWald will share stories of positive impact on communities through the campus’ education and research, as well as share ways in which Rotarians can support this vital work. 
 
As vice president of WSU Health Sciences and chancellor of WSU Health Sciences Spokane, Daryll DeWald, Ph.D., lead development of WSU’s rapidly growing, world-class center for health sciences education and research. DeWald joined WSU Health Sciences Spokane in September 2017 as its fourth chancellor and was named vice president for WSU Health Sciences in July 2019. 
An experienced academic leader and a successful life sciences researcher, DeWald is passionate about higher education and providing avenues for students, faculty, and staff to succeed. He oversees a downtown campus that is highly connected to the city’s medical district and central to Spokane's urban growth and sustainability. 
Prior to these appointments, DeWald joined WSU Pullman in 2011 as dean of the former College of Sciences and was tapped the next year by then-President Floyd to lead a merger with the former College of Liberal Arts to form the new College of Arts and Sciences. Under DeWald’s leadership, in addition to growing disciplinary excellence, the college launched a number of programs to support students across the university, including the Mathematics Learning Center, the Pre-Law Student Center and the Health Professions Student Center.
Before WSU, DeWald headed the Department of Biology at Utah State University. During 15 years at Utah State, he also held positions as associate director for the Center for Integrated Biosystems, director of the Multicultural Student Research Program, co-director of the Multicultural Scholars Program and director of the Microscopy Facility.
DeWald is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has managed research grants from several federal agencies and private organizations. His research focuses on synthetic biology, plant cell signaling, and mammalian cell signaling. More specifically, his work has explored the role of lipids that control cellular communication during plant stress, the regulation of cellular protein trafficking and how lipids regulate cancer cell metastasis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming and his doctoral degree in biochemistry from Texas A&M University.
 
Program coordinated by Lars Gilberts.