Janet Corson-Rikert, a Cornell University physician since 1992 and interim director of University Health Services for the past year, has been named director.

The appointment, made following a nationwide search, was effective Aug. 5, said Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services.

“Janet has served in this role on an interim basis for the past year and has filled the position superbly,” Murphy said. “She has provided strong leadership to Gannett Health Center during a year of substantial transition and has done so with wisdom, care and great accomplishment. I have appreciated her willingness to address directly many challenging issues, be they organizational, financial or facility-related during this past year, and to have done so successfully while maintaining a fundamental commitment to the health and welfare of our community, especially our students. I look forward to her continued leadership in the months and years ahead.”

As director, Corson-Rikert oversees a staff of 125 clinicians, nurses, physical therapists, health educators and administrative staff. She is responsible for overseeing primary care medical services, psychological services, physical therapy, access to emergency and specialty medical care and a range of clinical and health education services for 19,000 students. University Health Services also provides episodic, emergency and occupational care to faculty and staff.

“I am energized and excited by this opportunity to build on my investment in University Health Services, Cornell and the community,” Corson-Rikert said. “The challenge of the coming years will be to preserve our commitment to providing quality health care, in which health concerns are addressed in a developmental and social context, while adapting to the rapid evolution in health care delivery. With the community’s support and the dedicated staff at Gannett Health Center, I am confident that we will meet this challenge with creativity, efficiency and sensitivity.”

Corson-Rikert was valedictorian of her graduating class at Ithaca High School. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1974 and is a 1978 graduate of Harvard Medical School. She completed her medical training as an intern, resident and chief resident in pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and served a one-year fellowship in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital Medical Center at Harvard Medical School. From 1987 to 1992, she was director of health services and school physician at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H.