Daniel Friesner, Ph.D.
Title: Dean
Dept/Program: College of Health and Human Sciences
Email: dfriesner@uakron.edu
Website: /health
Biography
Dan Friesner, Ph.D. is Professor and Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. He earned his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and his doctoral degree from Washington State University. Dr. Friesner came to the University of Akron from the North Dakota State University College of Health Professions, where he was a tenured, full professor and held a variety of administrative roles, including Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Faculty Development, Director of the Health Services Program, and Senior Associate Dean. Prior to working at North Dakota State University, Dr. Friesner held tenured or tenure track faculty positions at Gonzaga University, Weber State University, and the University of Southern Indiana.
A health economist and applied econometrician by training, Dr. Friesner has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and scholar. He has taught applied statistics, research methods, logical reasoning, economics, and related quantitative courses (including applied calculus and game theory) across a variety of health professions and business programs. Dr. Friesner has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as more than 100 other documents (book chapters, conference proceedings, technical reports, working papers, etc.) in a broad range of fields at the intersection between the provision of health care, business, and economic development. He works in all areas of this intersection, including the use of economic modeling to analyze behavior in health-related markets, assessing the clinical, economic and humanistic outcomes of medical and public health interventions, and identifying the public health-related consequences of economic and financial decisions. Dr. Friesner is a past president of the Academy of Business Economics, a Fellow of the Academy of Business Economics, and a past Co-President of the Business and Health Administration Association.
Dr. Friesner, his wife Kelly (also a UA faculty member), and their family live south of Akron. Work and family responsibilities keep them busy, but when they have free time, they enjoy hiking and spending time at local coffee shops.
Education
- Ph.D. in Economics, Washington State University
- B.A. in Economics, Gustavus Adolphus College