Newswise — University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) and Virtua Health have developed a strategic learning partnership to create a model for innovation in learning, technology and applied health care. With an ongoing dedication to advancing the careers of its students and faculty, the University has partnered for the first time with a leading regional healthcare organization that is at the forefront of technology and the delivery of high-quality care.
Virtua and USP have signed a partnership agreement that will allow more USP students to receive hands-on learning at Virtua's facilities from its clinicians. This includes placement for undergraduate and graduate students in clinical specialties that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and pharmacy.
The organizations also hope to expand the existing clinical trial process at Virtua Health by offering USP clinical trials to Virtua's patients. In addition, the partners will develop public health initiatives to raise awareness about disease and prevention. The aim is to provide the community with a deeper understanding of how diseases spread and how people can protect themselves.
"The partnership between a healthcare organization and an academic institution will greatly enhance our ability to have an impact on the transformation of health care in America as well as in the communities we serve," says Richard P. Miller, president and CEO, Virtua Health. "Not only are we able to make an impact through participation in the educational process, but we will be able to share knowledge and collaborate on projects that will create a model for innovation."
"This exciting partnership provides an opportunity for new dimensions in the education of pharmacists and healthcare professionals. By forming this partnership with Virtua, we have enhanced our commitment to our students and the community," says Dr. Philip P. Gerbino, president of University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "This is an opportunity to place our students in Virtua's first-class environment as well as share the expertise of our faculty. It complements a key theme in USP's mission to educate students to be leaders and professionals who contribute to the health and welfare of the community."
Virtua serves more patients in its four hospitals, two rehabilitation and nursing facilities, two outpatient surgical centers, home care services and in a number of community health, fitness and wellness facilities than any other healthcare organization in South Jersey. It was one of the first healthcare organizations in the country to adopt Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, and is an early adopter of advanced technology. Virtua was recently voted the Best Place to Work among companies with 1,000 employees or more by its employees in the Philadelphia Business Journal's annual competition. With 7,200 employees and more than 1.800 physicians, Virtua is the premier healthcare provider in South Jersey.
For nearly two centuries, USP has held a distinguished reputation of educating students for successful and rewarding careers in the thriving pharmaceutical, science, and health care industries. The statistics speak for themselves: historically, more than 90 percent of USP students have jobs or have been accepted for advanced study on the day of graduation or within three months of graduating; USP ranks third among comparable institutions whose graduates receive advanced degrees in medical sciences1; and USP ranks in the top 11 percent of 1,137 comparable institutions whose undergraduates have gone on to complete a doctoral degree in the sciences1.
PHOTO CAPTION
Visit: http://www.usip.edu/smc/images/virtua-usp.jpg to download a hi-res jpeg for the following caption.
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Virtua Health have developed a strategic learning partnership to create a model for innovation in learning, technology and applied health care. From left to right are Catherine Kotecki, RN, DNSc, APN C, director of clinical education and research, Virtua Health; Richard P. Miller, president and CEO, Virtua Health; Dr. Philip P. Gerbino, president, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia; and Sara Gallagher, associate vice president and chief of staff, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
Virtua Health is a multi-hospital healthcare organization headquartered in Marlton, NJ. Its mission is to deliver a world class patient experience through its programs of excellence in women's health, pediatrics, cancer, cardiovascular, orthopedics, surgery, neuroscience and geriatrics. A non-profit organization, Virtua employs 7,200 clinical and administrative personnel and has 1,800 physicians as medical staff members. Virtua has distinguished itself as one of the first Six Sigma and Lean organizations in health care, as an early adopter of clinical and digital technologies, and for its innovative partnerships with nationally renowned organizations such as GE Healthcare and the Fox Chase Cancer Center . For more information, visit our web site at http://www.virtua.org or call 1-888-VIRTUA-3 (1-888-847-8823).
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America. It is where the founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world launched their futures. Comprising four colleges across a broad range of majors, USP specializes in educating its more than 2,800 students for rewarding careers through its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in pharmacy, science, and the health sciences. 1Source: NSF CASPAR Data, 1996-2005 " most recent 10 years.
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