(Des Moines, IA) – Mercy College of Health Sciences announced the appointment of new Board of Directors and Executive Committee Members. Mary Sheldahl, former Partner / Owner of Iowa Dental Supply Co., has accepted the position of Board Chair; Glenn Lyons, President of 571 Polson Developments, LLC has been named Board Vice Chair; Paul Erickson, Senior Vice President of the Consumer Division at Bankers Trust Company, has been elected as secretary; and Thomas Reitinger, CEO of Thomas R. Reitinger & Associates, LLC, will serve as treasurer.

In addition to these appointments, Emily McAllister, JD, Attorney and Shareholder at Duncan Green, P.C. in Des Moines, and Tom Clancy, PhD, Interim Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Iowa City, have been selected to serve on the Board of Directors.

Emily McAllister, JD

Ms. Emily McAllister practices business law and estate planning at Duncan Green, P.C.. She attended the University of Michigan Law School and graduated with honors. McAllister is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Iowa State Bar Association (Business Law Section and Probate, Property & Trust Law Section). She is an active member in the community and serves as a team member, catechist, and member of the Pastoral Council at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. McAllister volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Birthright, and various church committees. 

Tom Clancy, PhD

Dr. Tom Clancy previously served as a Clinical Professor and Associate Dean and was responsible for facilitating corporate and community partnerships at the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing. He has published several articles, books, and chapters on integrating technology in complex healthcare environments. Dr. Clancy has spent over 25 years in healthcare. He has worked as a nurse corps officer in the US Naval Reserves, a principle consultant for Siemens Medical Systems, and, most recently, he has served in several executive leadership roles at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City.

"We’re pleased to welcome Emily and Tom to the Mercy College Board of Directors, and I am excited to begin working with the newest members of the Executive Committee," said Mercy College President. “As leaders in healthcare and business, these individuals offer unique perspectives with a great enthusiasm that will benefit Mercy College as we look toward the future of healthcare education for the region.”

About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Located in downtown Des Moines, Mercy College prepares graduates for service and leadership in the healthcare community with a wide range of bachelor, associate, and certificate programs. Mercy College’s liberal arts and sciences education develops compassionate caregivers and leaders. Visit www.mchs.edu or call (515) 643-3180 to learn more.