When Dr. Ronald De Vera Barredo returned to his alma mater as dean of Trevecca’s School of STEM and Health Sciences, he brought more than 30 years of experience in physical therapy, education and leadership. But what’s already clear in his first semester is that his heart for service and belief in God’s providence are shaping the department’s next chapter.
Barredo, who assumed his new role in August, has quickly become a visible presence both on campus and in national conversations about healthcare and education. This fall, he’ll serve on multiple expert panels—including two at the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Annual Education Meeting in Spokane, Washington—addressing topics like credentialing for internationally educated physical therapists and the evolving standards of professional practice. There, he’ll also receive the FSBPT Outstanding Service Award, one of several national recognitions he’s earned for his lifelong contributions to physical therapy education and regulation.
Closer to home, Barredo recently served as a panelist at a mentorship event hosted by the American College of Healthcare Executives of Middle Tennessee, where he shared insights on professional development and leadership in healthcare. That kind of involvement, he says, helped draw him back to Trevecca.
“The pull of Christian influence brought me here,” Barredo said. “When you look at the School of STEM and Health Sciences, you see punctuations or accents of God in every discipline.”
That integration, he explains, is at the heart of the School of STEM and Health Sciences’ mission.
“When you think of biology and chemistry, you think about the Creator,” he said. “When you think of math and physics, you think of the immutable laws created by God. And when you think of health sciences, it tells you about the fallen human nature needing grace and healing.”
Barredo’s journey began in the Philippines, where he earned his undergraduate degree in physical therapy before moving to the United States in 1990. His early experience as a foreign-trained professional gives him unique insight into global education standards and the barriers that international students often face. That perspective continues to shape his leadership today.
“My prayer is that our programs in the School of STEM and Health Sciences are integrated and able to serve our students well—and prepare tomorrow’s healthcare and STEM leaders,” he said. “It’s important that we recognize the image of God in creation, in the laws of nature and in human nature. That’s how we connect science and faith—and that’s what I hope our students will see.”