UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — University Health Services has announced the appointment of Rebecca "Becky" Simcik as senior director of Penn State’s on-campus, comprehensive student health care center, effective June 2.
Simcik, who has served as the interim director since March, brings nearly a decade of experience in college health and a strong background in both clinical practice and healthcare administration. As senior director, she will continue overseeing a team of more than 120 staff across departments including clinical services, pharmacy, emergency medical services, health information management, and community health. UHS, a unit in the division of Student Affairs, provides more than 60,000 patient visits annually and typically serves the health needs of more than half of students at University Park each year.
“Dr. Simcik is a passionate, student-focused leader who brings both medical expertise and a heartfelt connection to Penn State,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. “She is exceptionally well positioned to lead UHS into its next chapter, with a vision rooted in access, innovation and quality care.”
A 2009 graduate of Penn State, Simcik earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors in human development and family studies as a Schreyer Honors College Scholar. As a student, she was president of the Association of Residence Hall Students, a THON volunteer, and part of the Movin’ On core planning committee. She has remained actively engaged with the Schreyer Honors College through the Alumni Admissions Interview and Undergraduate Mentorship programs.
After completing her medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a residency in internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Simcik returned to University Park in 2018 to join UHS as a staff physician. She was named medical director in 2022 and has since led a clinical team of more than 70 staff, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, lab and imaging professionals, and physical therapists. Simcik is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
“It’s a tremendous honor to serve the institution that shaped me as a student, scholar and leader,” said Simcik. “I’m deeply committed to providing inclusive, evidence-based care and ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive at Penn State.”
In addition to overseeing UHS’s wide scope of services — including primary care, gynecology, physical therapy, immunizations, lab and imaging, HIV prevention and more — Simcik also plays a key role in campus public health efforts and emergency response planning. She serves as a liaison with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Mount Nittany Health, and internal campus units such as Counseling and Psychological Services and Environmental Health and Safety.
She remains engaged in clinical education as a course director for a Penn State College of Medicine fourth-year elective in pediatric and adolescent medicine, and as a research collaborator with The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
For more information about University Health Services, visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/health.