Advancing Health Care at Loyola
Hey Ramblers! The news is in town that Loyola University Chicago will be creating a new School of Health Sciences and Public Health (SHSPH) starting in the 2019-20 school year. SHSPH’s purpose is to educate clinicians and health professionals, address critical needs in the health care industry, and find innovative solutions to closing gaps in health care access and equity.
Being a Jesuit institution, the new School of Health Sciences and Public Health brings all of health care together and advocates for education, research, practice. Loyola aims to assist the poor and marginalize our society. Loyola is committed to provide quality care and have professionals to lead the future of health care delivery with a variety of skills and experience.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care is changing fast now that we are advancing technology and shifting demographics. By the next decade, we are predicted to grow at least 18% – this being the fastest average of growth of all occupations. That being said, there will be 2.3 million new jobs. This expansion in healthcare calls for the demand of health informaticians, clinical data scientists, biostatisticians, and health technology security experts.
SHSPH brings together programs for undergraduate and graduate students and for working professionals seeking a career change or additional education to supplement skills that improve clinical and patient care. Existing Loyola programs, such as those in public health, undergraduate health systems management, exercise science, and dietetics, will be part of SHSPH and will offer more degree or certificate options. Innovative and accessible program formats for adult learners will include online instruction and hybrid learning programs, which will take advantage of existing technology, classroom, and laboratory space on Loyola’s Health Sciences Campus.
SHSPH will provide educational opportunities to current and future health care professionals. Some areas, such as health informatics and data analytics, are unique to the Chicago area and draw on the strength of the University’s relationship and data-sharing partnership with Trinity Health and Loyola Medicine. The school positions Loyola to complement the Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and continue its leadership role in health care education and practice.
This will be a new chapter for Loyola University Chicago in terms of expanding our commitment to educating the health care professionals of the future, improving people’s health, and serving those in need.