The number of students enrolled in the College of Health Professions has more than doubled in six years, from 1,000 in 2008 to 2,200 today.

Roy Olsson, dean of the college, said it’s easy to figure out the reason for such a dramatic increase. It comes down to a formula of greatness, he said.

“We’ve got great faculty, great facilities, great students and great clinical placements,” Olsson said. “That equals a great outcome for students seeking a degree."

Grand Valley is one of two universities in Michigan to offer all major health profession programs. (See sidebar for list of programs from the College of Health Professions and the Kirkhof College of Nursing.)

Contributing to the College of Health Professions’ formula of greatness is support from donors like alumna Theresa McKee, ’79. McKee, who lives in Florida, graduated from Grand Valley with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. McKee earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Colorado State University and has practiced in that field in many states and Australia. Her husband, Tim, is a retired Army lieutenant colonel.

The couple established the first OT scholarship in 2008. Since then, eight students have received the Theresa M. McKee OTR Occupational Therapy Scholarship.

Her involvement goes beyond funding the scholarship. McKee, who has advanced Neuro-Developmental Treatment stroke specialty training, is a mentor for occupational therapy students who are on clinical rotation in Florida and gives guest lectures for the department.

In West Michigan, Grand Valley is the leading provider of health science professionals. Olsson said there is high demand for all health profession jobs and that will only grow significantly as Baby Boomers (people born between 1946-1964) age. He said people age 65 and older spend more money for their health care in their retirement years than they did from birth to age 65.

Nationally, the need for physician assistants will increase by 38 percent and the need for occupational therapists will increase by 29 percent by 2022.

The university is responding to those needs. The Physician Assistant Studies program expanded to Grand Valley’s Traverse City Center, and Occupational Therapy established a successful weekend/hybrid program to meet the needs of working students.

Olsson said health profession students are well-prepared for the workforce because of their clinical experiences and the interprofessional education and training they receive at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in the Simulation Center.

“Our students are trained at a high level and operate the machines and equipment that they would use in the work place, thanks to the support of private gifts,” Olsson said.

He added that the college’s programs are at capacity and top students are admitted; the average GPA for students in health professions is 3.6.

Students in several programs (Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Speech Language Pathology) have 100 percent pass rates on their respective licensure exams, while other programs have passed at rates above the national average.

Like other donors, McKee said she enjoys remaining connected to Grand Valley.

College of Health Professions

• Allied Health Sciences
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Radiologic and Imaging Sciences
• Radiation Therapy
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Occupational Therapy
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Public Health
• Speech Language Pathology
• Physical Therapy

Kirkhof College of Nursing

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  Specialty Tracks:
  •        Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Pediatrics
  •         Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult/Older Adult
  •         Health Systems Leadership
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  •        Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  •         Traditional
  •        Second Degree
  •         RN-BSN

“I’ve been honored to work with Grand Valley students,” McKee said. “I’ve traveled and worked all over the world, and as I approach retirement this is a great way to give back.”

For more information about the College of Health Professions, visit www.gvsu.edu/chp. For information about the Kirkhof College of Nursing, visit www.gvsu.edu/kcon.

Giving Matters

Donors support textbooks and supplies

The campus community participated in #GivingTuesday on December 2 to help support current students and to inspire other Lakers to give back. More than $15,635 was raised for textbooks and supplies for students.

#GivingTuesday, traditionally the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is an opportunity to give back to those in need. This year alumni, faculty and staff members, and friends made donations to the Student Textbook Supply Fund that goes to purchase textbooks, school supplies and other items that students need for the winter semester. On campus, students donated food items to the Student Food Pantry and decorated bags for Kids’ Food Basket.

Athletes compete in varsity challenge

The Laker Varsity Athlete Challenge now lists more than 278 donors who have contributed to Grand Valley’s athletic program.

Established by Athletic Director Tim Selgo, this friendly competition is aimed at increasing giving by former student athletes by awarding $1,000 to the varsity sport with the highest level of participation to benefit their program. The men’s basketball team is currently in the lead but there is still time to make a gift and increase your team’s participation!

Follow the Varsity Athlete Challenge online at www.gvsu.edu/alumni/varsitychallenge through June 30. Go Lakers!

Wesorick Center completes campaign

The Kirkhof College of Nursing celebrated the completion of a $1 million campaign and the endowment of the Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation on October 15 at the DeVos Center.

This campaign benefited the center that is named after Bonnie Wesorick, founder and chair emerita for the Clinical Practice Model Resource Center in Grand Rapids. The center will enhance research productivity and interprofessional collaboration to improve outcomes for patients and health care providers.

Evelyn Clingerman, executive director of the center, and Cynthia McCurren, dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, said they are grateful to campaign supporters who recognized the need for a new way of thinking that responds to the changing landscape of today’s health care field.

For more about the Wesorick Center, visit www.gvsu.edu/wesorick.