Denise Montcalm, director of the School of Social Work, has been appointed interim dean of the Division of Health Sciences until a new vice president for Health Sciences/Dean of the School of Medicine is in place, Provost Marc Johnson announced recently.

Also, James “Jim” Fitzsimmons has been named interim director of Campus Recreation and Wellness until a search for a permanent director has been completed. He replaces Steve Pomi, the longtime director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, who recently retired.

Montcalm will maintain continuity of leadership for the departments and centers currently led by the vice president for Health Sciences, Johnson said.

During a distinguished 17-year career at the University of Nevada, Reno, Montcalm has held a variety of positions. In addition to her current position as director of the School of Social Work, she has also served as the Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) program coordinator, the Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program coordinator, and was an instrumental figure in launching the school’s 3 + 1 collaborative BSW program with Great Basin College.

Montcalm teaches research statistics, human behavior, social work practice and aging courses. Her primary research interests include research self-efficacy (among social workers) and family caregiving. Montcalm serves on the community advisory board for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and volunteers as a Special Advocate for Elders (SAFE). Nationally, she was recently elected to a three-year term as treasurer for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Prior to his appointment as interim director, Fitzsimmons served as assistant director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at the University. He has been at Nevada since 1997 and has worked in the recreation, sport and fitness industry for more than 24 years, in both the public and private sectors.

Fitzsimmons worked closely with Pomi to create the state-of-the-art fitness center and recreation program located in the Lombardi Recreation Building. He is a professional member of the National Intramural Sports and Recreation Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.