Derfus selected as Dean for Health Sciences

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College recently selected Stephanie Derfus as its dean for Health Sciences. As dean, she is responsible for managing initiatives related to the Health Science programs and instructional services including community, high school and college programs; E-learning and faculty departments. She will also serve as a liaison between Academic Affairs and other units of the college.

Derfus has been the program director for the College’s Dental Assisting program since 2008. She recently served as its Exposure Control Coordinator. She has a master of science in career and technical education from the University of Wisconsin (Stout), a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point), and a dental assisting technical diploma from Fox Valley Technical College. She is currently pursuing the doctor of education in educational leadership with a higher education concentration at Georgia Southern University.

STC’s Health Sciences division offers programs that prepare individuals for entry-level positions in the health-care community including Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Health Care Assistant (Central Sterile Processing, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Technician), Health Care Science (for Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology), Medical Assisting, Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing and Surgical Technology. Some of these programs use a competitive entry process. The division offers associate degrees to professional diplomas and technical certificates for programs that prepare graduates for careers in hospitals, dental offices, nursing homes and other health/illness care facilities, including home care.

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# 2205 | August 12, 2021
Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Cindy Cole
ccole@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.