Dr. Dean J. Scherer
Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
Lead Instructor of Physiology
“A Calling to Teach: My Path to Professorship”
U.S. Military Beginnings
I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately after high school and was trained as an electronic technician, specializing in Instrument Landing Systems at Dyess AFB. While serving, I enrolled in night courses through McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. I found I truly loved learning. Toward the end of my fourth year in USAF, I completed NCO training and was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
Faced with a crossroads—either make a career in the Air Force or pursue my dream of becoming a Chiropractic Physician—I chose the path of healing and education.
🎓 Academic and Professional Journey
After my honorable discharge, I completed my Associate of Science at Kansas City Kansas Community College and my upper-division coursework at Park College in Missouri. I was accepted into Cleveland Chiropractic College (now Cleveland University–Kansas City), where I earned my Doctorate of Chiropractic in 1992.
After passing national and state board exams, I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I have practiced chiropractic medicine for over 32 years. While I continue to practice part-time, helping many families in Oklahoma. My full-time passion is now in teaching and mentoring students.
👨🏫 Teaching Experience and Certifications
I began teaching as an adjunct instructor at Tulsa Community College, where I taught:
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Human Physiology
• Mammalian Anatomy
• Basic College Mathematics
I also spent five years teaching high school science in Jenks, Tulsa, and Coweta, holding a Standard Oklahoma Teaching Certificate with 12 endorsements, including:
• Anatomy & Physiology
• AP and General Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Health & Safety
• Physical Education
I was later hired for one year as full time as Instructor of Physics by Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, for one to fill in for a professor on sabbatical. There, I taught Physics II Lab to pre-med students and General Physical Science.
🎓 OSU-OKC Tenure and Current Role
In 2004, I joined the faculty at Oklahoma State University–OKC, where I’ve remained ever since.
• Tenured: 2010
• Promoted to Full Professor: 2015
• Served 15 years as Lead Instructor of Anatomy and Physiology
• Currently: Lead Instructor of Physiology
Due to departmental growth, Dr. Luke Rhodes was assigned as Lead Instructor of Anatomy in 2019, allowing me to focus on physiology instruction and curriculum development.
👨👩👧👦 Personal Life
I am married to my wonderful wife, and we are blessed with four children and six grandchildren. They are the joy of our lives.
