Rowan University and Virtua Health to partner on education, research and patient care

Longstanding Organizations Align to Further Cement Region as Health Care Hub

The boards of trustees for Rowan University and Virtua Health have approved the signing of a letter of intent to expand their organizations’ relationship, further collaborating across education, research, and patient care.

A new affiliation agreement will be completed in the next several months to define how the two organizations will work together to establish a sought-after program for preparing the health and wellness workforce of the future, expanding the number and diversity of health professionals educated through Rowan University and Virtua Health.

“We share an overarching goal of creating an outstanding academic health system that improves the health of New Jersey residents by reimagining the education and training of the state’s next generation of physicians and other health professionals,” said Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, president and CEO of Virtua Health. “This is an exciting exploration of how we change New Jersey’s role in the future of health care.”

Both organizations plan to commit significant resources to expand educational programs, which train new health care professionals for an evolving future. The agreement will include plans to provide more clinical experiences for Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine students and to increase residency and fellowship opportunities that will serve South Jersey. In addition, the plans include continued professional and career development for Virtua and Rowan nurses through streamlined access to undergraduate and graduate educational programs. And, the enhanced relationship will allow the organizations to expand their roles in research and discovery into new ways to improve health, which will contribute significantly to the regional economy and South Jersey’s reputation as a source of innovation and talent.

Rowan and Virtua will affiliate for clinical education, activities, and research, including those related to Rowan’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Nursing & Health Professions, and the new School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences.

“We are excited to partner with Virtua. Together we will advance knowledge through research, retain and recruit top talent, train the next generation of health care professionals, and create new patient care programs so families can have access to even more world-class medical care here in South Jersey,” said Rowan University President Ali Houshmand, Ph.D.

About Rowan University:
Rowan University is ranked in the top 100 public research institutions in the nation. During the past decade, the University has rapidly transformed into a doctoral, research-intensive university with more than 23,000 students, program offerings on eight campuses and partnerships with health systems throughout South Jersey. Focused on access, quality, affordability and economic development, Rowan is one of only three institutions in the nation that offer both M.D. and D.O. medical degree programs and has recently created a School of Nursing & Health Professions. Learn more: rowan.edu.

About Virtua Health:
Virtua Health is committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 14,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including a renowned cardiology program, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, 27 ambulatory surgery centers, and more than 280 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program. Virtua has 2,850 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the wellbeing of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, most notably the “Eat Well” food access initiative, which includes the unparalleled Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Virtua has received many awards for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit Virtua.org.