Grand Valley Magazine Winter 2015 - (Page 10)

DON O R I M PAC T Successful formula helps College of Health Professions grow The number of students enrolled in the College of Health Professions has more than doubled in six years, from 1,000 in 2008 to 2,200 today. Roy Olsson, dean of the college, said it's easy to figure out the reason for such a dramatic increase. It comes down to a formula of greatness, he said. "We've got great faculty, great facilities, great students and great clinical placements," Olsson said. "That equals a great outcome for students seeking a degree." Grand Valley is one of two universities in Michigan to offer all major health profession programs. (See sidebar for list of health profession and nursing programs.) Contributing to the College of Health Professions' formula of greatness is support from donors like alumna Theresa McKee, '79. McKee, who lives in Florida, graduated from Grand Valley with a bachelor's degree in medical technology. McKee earned a master's Theresa, '79, and Tim McKee established a scholarship for students majoring in occupational therapy. 10 Winter '15 degree in occupational therapy from Colorado State University and has practiced in that field in many states and Australia. Her husband, Tim, is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. The couple established the first OT scholarship in 2008. Since then, eight students have received the Theresa M. McKee OTR Occupational Therapy Scholarship. Her involvement goes beyond funding the scholarship. McKee, who has advanced NeuroDevelopmental Treatment stroke specialty training, is a mentor for occupational therapy students who are on clinical rotation in Florida and gives guest lectures for the department. In West Michigan, Grand Valley is the leading provider of health science professionals. Olsson said there is high demand for all health profession jobs and that will only grow significantly as Baby Boomers (people born between 1946-1964) age. He said people age 65 and older spend more money for their health care in their retirement years than they did from birth to age 65. Nationally, the need for physician assistants will increase by 38 percent and the need for occupational therapists will increase by 29 percent by 2022. The demand for nurse practitioners is estimated to increase by 94 percent by 2025. The university is responding to those needs. The Physician Assistant Studies program expanded to Grand Valley's Traverse City Center, and Occupational Therapy established a successful weekend/hybrid program to meet the needs of working students. Olsson said health profession students are well-prepared for the workforce because of their clinical experiences and the interprofessional education and training they receive at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in the Simulation Center. "Our students are trained at a high level and operate the machines and equipment that they would use in the work place, thanks to the support of private gifts," Olsson said. He added that the college's programs are at capacity and top students are admitted; the average GPA for students in health professions is 3.6. Students in four programs (Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Speech Language Pathology) have 100 percent pass rates on their respective licensure exams, while students in four other programs have passed at rates above the national average. Like other donors, McKee said she enjoys remaining connected to Grand Valley. "I've been honored to work with Grand Valley students," McKee said. "I've traveled and worked all over the world, and as I approach retirement this is a great way to give back." For more information about the College of Health Professions, visit www.gvsu.edu/chp. http://www.gvsu.edu/chp

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Winter 2015

Campus News
Athletics
Donor Impact
Arts
RMSC celebrates silver anniversary
Get a job
Another man's treasure
YGR
Research
Sustainability
Q&A George Grant Jr.
Off the Path
Focal Point
Alumni News

Grand Valley Magazine Winter 2015