Dr. Janelle O’Connell to Retire in May 2025

After 30 years of dedicated service, Dr. Janelle O’Connell, Dean of the College of Health Professions and Professor of Physical Therapy, will retire from Hardin-Simmons University in May 2025. Dr. O’Connell’s remarkable career has left a legacy of leadership, dedication, and an uncompromising commitment to her students, colleagues, and the university community.

Dr. O’Connell joined Hardin-Simmon University as a founding member of the Physical Therapy Department and was named Program Director in 1999. Throughout her tenure, she played an instrumental role in the growth and success of the Physical Therapy Department and the College of Health Professions. Her passion for health education, mentorship, and research has touched countless lives, both within and beyond our university community.

Reflecting on Dr. O’Connell’s leadership, Dr. Jill Jumper, Director of the Physical Therapy Program and Associate Professor, shared:

“I can truly say that the success of the HSU Doctor of Physical Therapy program comes from the amazing leadership of Dr. Janelle O’Connell.   Dr. O’Connell’s servant heart and Christ-like example have been a continual blessing to all the faculty and students she has mentored over the past 30 years. We will miss her knowledge, attention to detail, focus on servant leadership, and most of all, her undeniable and fantastic laugh. It will be very difficult to fill the space that is left behind when she retires.  She will be greatly missed, but we pray God’s many blessings on her during this new journey.”

Dr. O’Connell’s academic journey is as impressive as her professional contributions. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the University of Toledo. Additionally, she earned her Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Hardin-Simmons University. She has served as a certified athletic trainer since 1978 and is a respected member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the Texas Physical Therapy Association, and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Dr. O’Connell’s achievements include receiving the Arete Award from the Abilene Education Council, the William R. Gould Memorial Outstanding Physical Therapy Faculty Member Award, and being named Hardin-Simmons University’s Faculty Member of the Year. Dr. O’Connell and her husband, Dr. Dennis O’Connell, were also the recipients of the Humanitarian Award from the American Physical Therapy Association in recognition of their many years of mission work and bringing physical therapy to those in need around the world. Her extensive research on health behavior, spirituality, adherence to physical therapy, and health promotion has been widely published in leading journals.

Beyond her academic and professional contributions, Dr. O’Connell, along with her husband, Dr. Dennis O’Connell, co-founded the HSU PT Ministries program, which has provided invaluable service-learning opportunities to Physical Therapy students both locally and internationally.

Dr. O’Connell has been a steadfast mentor, colleague, and leader, and her presence will be deeply missed. As she prepares to embark on this next chapter of her life, we wish her continued success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors. Over the next several months, we will celebrate Dr. O’Connell’s extraordinary career and contributions to Hardin-Simmons University.

Please join us in extending our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Janelle O’Connell for her incredible 30 years of service and congratulating her on a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.