Shenandoah University and Inova will collaborate to bring graduate programs in occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) and physician assistant (PA) studies to the university’s Northern Virginia Campus, near Inova Loudoun Hospital in Loudoun County, Va.
The university, which currently offers programs in nursing and respiratory care, pharmacy, teacher education and organizational leadership in Loudoun County, will renovate additional space on the Northern Virginia Campus to house the new programs.
For its part, Inova will provide $3.2 million in seed money to start up the programs, building a six-table cadaver lab and leasing space for up to two years. It will also provide clinical and rotational experiences for students enrolled in these programs. Through this partnership, the two organizations will seek to create a pipeline for allied health students at Shenandoah’s Northern Virginia Campus directly into employment – including jobs within Inova’s integrated network of hospitals and outpatient care facilities.
The Physical Therapy program will offer 15 seats at the Northern Virginia Campus starting Fall of 2014. Dr. Ruth Maher and Dr. Megan Bureau will join the faculty in August of 2013 with primary appointments at the NVC.