Providence St. Joseph Health, Montana university partner to establish School of Health Professions: 6 things to know

Renton, Wash.-based Providence St. Joseph Health has embarked on a joint venture with the University of Great Falls (Mont.) that establishes a School of Health Professions and renames the university.

Here are six things to know about the partnership.

1. University of Great Falls will be renamed University of Providence, effective July 1. The new name "recognizes the university's founding by the Sisters of Providence, its dedication to its Catholic values and its commitment to developing healthcare professionals," according to a news release.

2. PSJH is also establishing a School of Health Professions at the University of Providence. The School of Health Professions will offer educational programs and training for PSJH employees and for people seeking jobs at PSJH and other healthcare organizations, the release states. These include an RN to BSN degree program as well as a master's degree program in infection prevention and epidemiology. Additional graduate programs offered at the university include organizational leadership, healthcare administration and an applied health informatics certificate program.

"The new school will be a resource for PSJH employees to advance their education and training and grow within the organization. In addition, students will benefit from an enhanced School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This transformation is expected to be complete by 2022," PSJH and the university said in the release.

3. Both entities expect the School of Health Professions to have as many as 10,000 students over the course of a decade. Courses will be available online and at satellite locations, according to the release.

4. Both entities expect The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the Great Falls campus to reach 1,400 students within the next 10 years.

5. Commenting on the partnership, Tony Aretz, PhD, president of University of Providence, said: "As a Catholic university, we are committed to meeting the pressing needs in our communities and preparing future leaders to serve the common good with compassionate hearts. Our new name, the new School of Health Professions and the expanded School of Liberal Arts and Sciences reflect our courageous vision and our commitment to providing transformational education programs and developing leadership talent for the 21st century."

6. Rod Hochman, MD, president and CEO of PSJH, shared Dr. Aretz's excitement. "We have a responsibility to make sure the next generation of caregivers is the best educated and most qualified to meet the significant health and social challenges facing our country," he said. "As our founders the Sisters of Providence and the Sisters of St. Joseph did long ago, we must plan for the health needs of our communities. Bold and visionary changes are needed, and these plans will position us to develop the next generation of exceptional healthcare professionals and become a national resource."

 

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