Dr. Gabrielle Poole began at Charleston Southern University in 2016 as the Founding Program Director for the Physician Assistant Program. Dr. Poole was named the Dean of the College of Health Sciences in May 2023 after serving as the Interim Dean since January 2022. The College of Health Sciences houses four graduate programs (Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Clinical Counseling) and two undergraduate programs (Kinesiology and Public Health).

Dr. Poole graduated from Wofford College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in biology degreeand earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2009. She received her Doctor of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Education from the University of Lynchburg in 2020 with an additional certificate in Healthcare Administration and Management.

Prior to coming to CSU, Dr. Poole was a PA with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants for seven years, including a two-year term as President. She was honored as the 2015 South Carolina PA of the Year for her work with this organization. On a national level, she has served on the Leadership Mission Advancement Committee, the Finance Steering Committee, and as Program Director Workshop Facilitator for the Physician Assistant Education Association.

Dr. Poole and her husband have had the honor and the privilege to serve on and lead medical mission trips to South Africa and Togo, West Africa since their time as PA students. In addition, Dr. Poole served as the Director of Global Missions Training for Seacoast Church where she is an active member for 5 years prior to coming to CSU. When she is not at work, she is spending time with her husband, Anthony, and their four children, Emmy, Will, Michael, and Sam.