Mercy College of Health Sciences’ board of directors today announced that Adreain Henry has been named the college’s fourth president. Henry, who was selected following an extensive national search, will begin as president on July 1.

Henry has held executive roles in health care, education, and while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Most recently, he was chief academic officer and associate provost at Hallmark University in San Antonio, Texas.

“Dr. Henry embodies the spirit of Mercy College and has many years of higher education and health sciences experience,” said Paul Erickson, chair of the college’s board of directors. “We are thrilled to have selected Dr. Henry as the next leader of Mercy College. We trust that he will lead us into the future with compassion and excellence, guiding the college’s important vision and mission for years to come.”

Henry fills the position vacated by former President Doug Fiore, who departed from Mercy College last fall. Thomas Leahy, Mercy College vice president of business and regulatory affairs, has been interim president since September. The private Catholic college in Des Moines offers 16 academic programs in the health sciences.

Henry earned his Associate of Arts in music and pre-med from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he attended as a first-generation college student. From there, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi before earning his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry from Salus University in Pennsylvania.

He completed his residency in primary eye care at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in Tahlequah, Okla. In addition, he received a Master of Arts degree in business from Webster University in Missouri, an MBA from the University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Education in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

“It is a privilege and honor to lead such a distinguished institution with a long-standing legacy of excellence and compassion in the health care industry,” Henry said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to become part of that storied history, and I look forward to serving with our dedicated board of directors, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members as we make phenomenal things happen at Mercy College.”

Henry and his family will be moving to Des Moines; he and his wife, Karen, have two children, Abrielle and Adreain Jr.