The university added three new deans and signed landmark healthcare partnerships to address South Florida’s healthcare professional shortages.
From left: Rodolfo Bonnin, dean of the School of Mental Health and Social Work; Audrey Miller, dean of the School of Nursing; Madelin Ramil, dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine; Eneida Roldan, executive dean of the College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences; Mike Allen, president of Barry University; Rudi H. Ettrich, president and CEO of Larkin University; Nicholas
Torres, CEO of Larkin Health System; David Rogers, president of Independent Living Systems; and Pablo Ortiz, provost of Barry University, at Barry University’s press conference on Sept. 30, 2025, in Miami Shores, Fla.
Oct. 2, 2025 – Barry University announced at a press conference on Tuesday, the largest realignment of its College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences in more than a decade. The university introduced three new deans to lead its schools of Nursing, Podiatric Medicine, and Mental Health and Social Work, and unveiled strategic partnership agreements with Larkin Health and Independent Living Systems.
These announcements underscore the university’s commitment to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and address South Florida’s growing shortage of physicians, nurses, and mental health providers.
“Barry University has always been deeply connected to the health of our community,” said Dr. Mike Allen, President of Barry University. “By investing in strong leadership and partnering with well-respected healthcare institutions, we are ensuring our students are well equipped to serve their community.”
Barry University Announces New Leadership Shaping the Future of Healthcare Education
Barry’s new leadership team reflects the breadth of expertise needed to meet today’s healthcare education challenges.
Dr. Audrey P. Miller, alumna and nationally recognized nurse educator, will lead the College of Nursing and Health Sciences after a distinguished career in pediatric transplant care, nursing workforce development, and health equity, with senior appointments at Florida International University, Jackson Health Systems, and the University of Miami.
Dr. Madelin Ramil steps into the role of Dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine after a career spanning private practice, residency leadership at HCA Florida Westside Hospital, and international surgical training in Spain and Italy. A Barry graduate and co-founder of The Dr. Charles C. Southerland Jr. Yucatan Children’s Project, she has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing podiatric care for underserved children.
Dr. Rodolfo Bonnin will serve as the inaugural Dean of the School of Social Work and Mental Health. A psychologist and researcher with nearly two decades of experience, he previously served as Assistant Dean for Institutional Knowledge Management and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, where he developed nationally recognized curricula in suicide prevention and emotional intelligence. At Barry, he will expand experiential learning, strengthen research, and deepen community engagement.
“As healthcare grows more complex, our students must be able to think and work across boundaries,” said Dr. Eneida Roldan, Executive Dean of the College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences. “By uniting Barry’s health programs under one vision and empowering new leadership in nursing, podiatric medicine, and mental health, we are preparing compassionate, competent graduates who are ready to serve a community in urgent need of care.”
Strategic Partnerships Open New Opportunities for Students
The newly signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Larkin University, Larkin Health System, and Independent Living Systems will provide students with clinical training sites, research opportunities, and direct hands-on experience and pathways into the professional field. This collaboration is the first of many coming to the College and Barry continues to reinforce the importance of strategic partnerships to bring new opportunities for students.
“We are proud to invest in scholarships that support the next generation of students and social workers. By preparing more professionals to enter the healthcare field, we are helping to address a critical workforce need and strengthen the communities we serve,” said David Rogers, president of Independent Living Systems.
“Our goal is to partner with universities and healthcare systems to bring the learners into the healthcare environment as soon as possible so that they can get real-world experience and broaden their learning,” said Nicholas Torres, CEO of Larkin Health System.
About Barry University
As South Florida’s largest private Catholic institution of higher learning and as one of the leading universities in the nation for promoting social mobility, Barry University is preparing students for the future workforce by offering them more than 100-degree programs in a variety of disciplines and giving them the tools and real-world experience that transform concepts into impact. Barry’s programs center on experiential and service learning, responding to market conditions and addressing critical societal needs. Barry graduates are socially conscious leaders in many industries and in their communities. Learn more at barry.edu or visit their Instagram at @barryuniversity.
About College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences
The College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences at Barry University offers interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs through the School of Podiatric Medicine, Schools of Nursing, and Social Work and Mental Health, along with departments in health sciences, physician assistant studies and emergency management as well as mental health and podiatry clinics. Through a dynamic curriculum, immersive clinical experiences, and a commitment to service, graduates are fully prepared to succeed in the complex healthcare ecosystem.