Dr. Jean E. Chin served the University of Georgia for 30 years, during which she spent 14 yeas as executive director of the University Health Center. She led a team, dedicated to the health and wellness of UGA’s more than 35,000 students, with the mantra “Exceptional students need exceptional heath care.” 

Under her leadership, the Health Center transformed into a 111,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with 13 clinics where approximately 500 patients are seen each day.

During her tenure, the University Health Center became one of 17 college health centers in the U.S. to be Joint Commission accredited and established the Fontaine Center to provide alcohol and other drug prevention services to the campus community. She also started the Student Health Advisory Committee and Healthy Dawg Ambassadors to provide a student voice in health center operations. In addition to her administrative role, she has donated to the Florence Wood Winship Medical Clinic Endowment, the Georgia Fund, University Health Services and the State Botanical Garden.

Chin graduated from UGA in 1978 with a degree in chemistry. She went on to earn her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and complete an internal medicine residency at Westchester County Medical Center. She joined the UGA Health Center medical staff in 1988 and served as medical director from 1992 to 2004. She earned her MBA at Kennesaw State University in 2001 and she is board certified in internal medicine. She also teaches as a part of the Augusta University/University of Georgia partnership.

In 2017, she received the University of Georgia Vice President’s Award for Distinguished Leadership, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership to improve Student Affairs. She has also received the 2015 Charles F. Bohmann Award from the Southern College Health Association for outstanding leadership.

Chin was bestowed a fellowship by the American College Health Association (ACHA) in recognition of outstanding service to the association and superior professional stature and performance in the college health field. A tireless servant and advocate for ACHA and the Southern College Health Association, Chin has served on the SCHA’s executive board as vice president (2009-2010), president-elect (2010-2011), president (2011-2012), immediate past president (2012-2013; 2014-present) and sergeant at arms (2013-2014). She also served on the ACHA board of directors from 2013-2015 as a member-at-large, and she currently chairs the Guidelines for a Comprehensive College Health Program Task Force.

Her father, Edward Chin, who founded the UGA Marine Grant Extension and Sea Grant, received the Faculty Service Award in 1995. She lives in Watkinsville, Georgia with her husband, Randy Walker, who is the current director of the UGA Marine Extension.