Carilion Clinic, Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Radford University today announced that moving forward their partnership will be known as Radford University Carilion.
By working together, the organizations continue to advance the merger of Jefferson College of Health Sciences into Radford University in summer 2019.
“Our partnership with Radford University is not new; it goes back decades, in fact,” said Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee. “Having a name, however, is an important symbol of our work together. It’s a nod to the future and of more good things to come.”
“This announcement signifies yet another step forward in making our bold vision a reality,” said Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “To mark our growing partnership and enhanced opportunities for current and future students, we chose a strong name that showcases our critical focus and allows important work to grow in the future. The Radford family looks forward to officially welcoming Jefferson College of Health Sciences students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends as Highlanders in preparing to open Radford University Carilion for the upcoming academic year.”
In January 2018, Carilion Clinic, Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Radford University jointly announced the intention to merge Jefferson College of Health Sciences into the Radford University family of colleges and departments over the course of the following 18 to 24 months. Both institutions came from positions of strength and believed that by joining forces, they could build something even stronger.
Since then, the organizations have accomplished key milestones toward merging the two schools. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) was involved from the time of the announcement. SCHEV’s support ultimately resulted in passage of legislation in the Virginia General Assembly authorizing the merger. This spring, the two institutions submitted their merger plans to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). The merger will be considered during SACS-COC’s June meeting.
“Because of the tremendous efforts of many faculty and staff, we are on track to merge later this summer,” said Jefferson College of Health Sciences President Nathaniel L. Bishop, D.Min. “Even though we are closing a chapter on Jefferson College of Health Sciences, we are ready to open another that will expand opportunities for those seeking a career in the health sciences.”
Jefferson College of Health Sciences will host its final commencement on May 3, 2019, and it will be a celebration of both the talented students, who are successfully completing their educational pursuits and beginning their professional journeys, and the school itself, which has prepared thousands of healthcare providers in the community and beyond. President and CEO of Carilion Clinic Nancy Howell Agee will be the commencement speaker.
– Radford University
