Date: Aug 24, 2012

Hofstra University Launches New School of Health Sciences and Human Services

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University’s Board of Trustees has authorized the creation of a new School of Health Sciences and Human Services as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to expand offerings in the sciences and answer the region’s critical need for health care professionals.

The new school will house Hofstra’s existing undergraduate and graduate programs in health sciences, and human services, as well as the new Master of Public Health program that is slated to launch in September.

“This brings new focus and energy to our health sciences programs at a time when the demand for highly-skilled, well-trained professionals is growing exponentially,” said Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz.

“As the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine begins its second year, this is a natural next step for us,” President Rabinowitz said. “And, like our medical school, the School of Health Sciences and Human services will build on our partnership with North Shore-LIJ Health Systems and pioneer creative, innovative approaches to existing health-care challenges.”

The University has appointed Dr. Ronald Bloom, most recently chair of the Speech Language Hearing Sciences department, as Acting Dean of the new school.
“Our goal is to train students to become clinicians and practitioners, researchers, educators, advocates and leaders who will be able to adapt to the changing health care, community, and educational environments,” Dr. Bloom said. The School will be unique in that it will combine strong clinical programs with programs in public health and health management. As a result, students will gain a multifaceted  perspective on different aspects of health care including clinical practice, advocacy, and policy making.”

In less than a decade, the nation will be facing a shortfall of more than 250,000 public health workers, according to the Association of Schools of Public Health. To meet that projected need, schools of public health would have to train three times the current number of graduates, ASPH estimates show. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 19 percent of all wage and salary jobs added to the economy over the 2004-14 period will be in the health care industry.

Dr. Herman Berliner, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said splitting health sciences, human services and education programs into two separate schools puts new emphasis on teacher-training as well.

“We are signaling not only our goals in health sciences, but also providing a  more focused  platform to highlight the excellence of our education and teacher-training programs, which offer top-notch training in  key areas of  education, including Special Education, Leadership, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education,” Dr. Berliner said.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 11,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

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