Rowan University and Fairleigh Dickinson University have signed a memorandum of understanding to create dual degree programs, articulation agreements and accelerated pathways in an effort to bolster New Jersey’s health workforce and improve health outcomes.
The agreement brings together Rowan University, a southern New Jersey research institution, and FDU, a venerable private university in northern New Jersey, to develop joint initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for students and working professionals to gain health-care training while advancing innovation in health.
“This partnership represents a bold step forward in transforming health-care education and innovation across New Jersey,” said Ali A. Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “By partnering with Fairleigh Dickinson University, we will expand access to high-quality health education but also accelerate research, workforce development and community wellness.”
Michael Avaltroni, president of Fairleigh Dickinson University, added, “By combining our institutions’ strengths, we are creating unprecedented opportunities for students while addressing the critical health-care workforce needs of our state and region. Together we can truly have a dynamic impact on healthcare training and delivery.”
In August, the two institutions held a summit to explore ideas for collaboration and formally sign the MOU. Nearly 100 representatives from Rowan (primarily the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine) and FDU’s division of health had discussions on exploring aligned programs such as nursing, informatics, allied health and public health and considering joint interests in clinical placements, research, faculty development and service learning.
Richard Jermyn, vice chancellor for Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences, said, “The summit was about bringing the best physicians, the best researchers, and the best educators together in one room to see what we can develop and grow in the future. Our success is going to be measured by creating the next health-care network of future physicians and nurses.”
The two institutions will also look to promote innovation in health-care training and delivery through academic programming and other potential areas of the partnership.
