Wilkes-Barre, Pa., November 9, 2022—King’s College has signed an agreement with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pa., providing two (2) graduates of the College’s Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program with priority admission, per year, into Jefferson’s Doctor of Health Science program through its College of Population Health (JCPH).
The affiliation also offers continuing education and professional development benefits, including free access for King’s faculty and students to JCPH seminars, forums, annual colloquium, and one free registration to the Population Health Academy. Likewise, King’s offers Jefferson students free registration to College-sponsored symposiums and conferences. King’s and Jefferson also plan to develop a co-hosted webinar on rural health.
Partnering with Jefferson will create new opportunities and experiences that will expose King’s students to the unique needs and challenges related to urban health care delivery. Justin Beaupre, Ed. D., assistant professor of Healthcare Administration at King’s notes, “as a relatively rural college, this partnership will bring opportunities for our students to learn about the urban healthcare landscape from one of the nation’s oldest healthcare systems and academic institutions that continue to provide innovative urban health care.”
JCPH addresses large-scale social, economic, and environmental issues that impact the health outcomes of vulnerable communities. Through their Doctor of Health Science in Population Health program, students deepen their knowledge in selected domains of clinical leadership and health professions teaching and learning, preparing them to address new challenges and develop potential solutions.
“To change healthcare, our students learn we need to shift our existing healthcare system from an illness-centered model to one that focuses on protecting and optimizing health—a look through a population health lens,” said Michele McGowan, DBA, professor and program director of the graduate program in Healthcare Administration at King’s. “This partnership will bring exciting new opportunities for our graduate students to further their education and continue learning how to better serve their patient populations.”
While the agreement provides two priority admission, any graduate of the King’s program is welcome to apply and may be accepted to the JCPH program.
“We are happy to begin a partnership with King’s College to offer exceptional educational opportunities to people who want to make a difference in their communities,” said Alexis Skoufalos, Ed.D., associate dean of strategic development and program director of Jefferson’s Doctor of Health Science in Population Health program.
“Our missions are totally aligned,” they continued. “Both organizations are dedicated to developing outstanding leaders who will transform their communities through service, education, and commitment. We’re eager to welcome the first doctoral students to Jefferson College of Population Health, beginning in Fall 2023.”
King’s College’s AACSB internationally accredited Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program provides advanced knowledge of healthcare delivery systems and services, the factors that influence the healthcare environment, appropriate management and research skills, as well as professional competencies pertinent in today’s healthcare environment. To learn more, visit kings.edu/graduate.
Seated, from left: Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., president of King’s College and Billy Ogelsby, dean, Jefferson University College of Population Health. Standing, from left: Alexis Skoufalos, associate dean, strategic development and program director, Doctor of Health Science program, Thomas Jefferson University; Christopher O’Brien, dean of health sciences and associate clinical professor of sports medicine, King’s College; Joseph Evan ‘95, vice president for academic affairs, King’s College; Barry Williams, dean of the William G. McGowan School of Business and professor of accounting, King’s College; and Sharon Larson, associate dean research, executive director of Main Line Health Center for Population Health Research, professor at Thomas Jefferson University.