St. Thomas taps Wilder Foundation CEO as dean of new College of Health

The new college will focus on addressing health disparities

A woman in a red suit smiles for the camera.
MayKao Hang
Courtesy of University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas on Tuesday named MayKao Hang, the president and CEO of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, as vice president and the first dean of its new College of Health.

Hang has served as president of the Wilder Foundation for almost a decade. She joins the college with a vision to show students how to improve health care in underserved populations.

“Dr. Hang is the perfect fit to lead this college because she is a champion of addressing disparities, passionate about the well-being of underserved communities, and a values-based leader,” said St. Thomas President Dr. Julie Sullivan.

Hang said there is a growing demand for practitioners who have the cultural competency to meet the changing demographics. The college of health comprises the existing school of social work and the graduate school of psychology. It will also include a nursing school.

Hang begins her role part time Oct. 7 and will transition to St. Thomas full time on Nov. 4.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.