Thomas Jefferson University Restructures College of Health Professions

Thomas Jefferson University announces a change in structure within Jefferson College of Health Professions. The College will consist of three schools: a School of Health Professions, including Departments of Bioscience Technologies, General Studies, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Radiologic Sciences; a School of Nursing, and a School of Pharmacy that will be launched within the College in the fall of 2008.

The College’s reorganization, together with the establishment of the School of Pharmacy, is a direct outcome of the University Strategic Plan and will serve to increase the visibility of the College’s programs in the national educational marketplace. The designation “School” enables the School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy to maintain consistency with their colleague institutions. Uniting the allied health departments within a School will improve efficiency and enhance collaboration across the departments.

The revised governance structure also establishes a Deans’ Council, chaired by James B. Erdmann, PhD, Dean of Jefferson College of Health Professions, and includes the Deans of the three Schools, and an Advisory Committee of the College Faculty. Another major change in the revised Bylaws of the College involves the establishment of new faculty tracks, including a tenure-eligible track.

The Jefferson School of Health Professions

Janice P. Burke, PhD, OTR/L,FAOTA Dean, Jefferson School of Health Professions

The School of Health Professions upholds a strong commitment to educating the healthcare team through interprofessional programs. The change in structure does not diminish the collaboration which occurs among students, researchers, and clinicians throughout the College and University.

Janice P. Burke, PhD, OTR/L,FAOTA, Professor and Chair of Department of Occupational Therapy, has been appointed Dean of the newly-formed School of Health Professions. Dr. Burke, who came to Jefferson in 1988, is Professor of Occupational Therapy and was appointed Chair of the Department in 1998.

The Jefferson School of Nursing

The change in status from a Department of Nursing to a School of Nursing recognizes the growth and achievements of the Nursing Program as well as its position among the leaders in nursing education. The Department of Nursing was one of the first academic departments when the College was founded in 1969. However, Jefferson’s nursing history dates to 1891, when a diploma nursing program was first established at the Jefferson Medical College Hospital. The School of Nursing now has over 600 students and offers programs ranging from associate degree to post-master’s certificate.

Mary Schaal, RN, EdD Dean, Jefferson School of Nursing

“The change to School of Nursing from Department of Nursing reflects the structure of high level nursing programs in major academic medical centers across the country, and recognizes the status of this program with its peers,” emphasizes James B. Erdmann, PhD, Dean of Jefferson College of Health Professions.

Mary Schaal, RN, EdD, the chair of the former Department of Nursing, has been named Dean of the School of Nursing. Dr. Schaal, a graduate of Jefferson’s diploma and baccalaureate degree nursing programs, came to Jefferson in 1997, is Professor of Nursing and was appointed Chair of the Department in 2002.

The Jefferson School of Pharmacy

The University is currently seeking a Founding Dean for the School of Pharmacy. The first class of 75 students is expected to start in Fall 2008.

Contact: Kelly Carlucci
215-503-1918

Back