SCHEV approves ODU/NSU Joint School of Public Health

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has approved the Joint School of Public Health (JSPH), offered by Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University, the schools announced on Thursday.

Council members approved the school at a Sept. 17 meeting, according to a SHEV spokesperson.

“We have a real opportunity to create and sustain transformational change in Virginia’s communities where, for too long, we have seen serious health inequities,” ODU President Brian O. Hemphill stated in a release. “The formation of the Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk State University, will serve Hampton Roads well as we provide a growing pipeline of health care leaders who are fully dedicated to building and maintaining healthy communities.”

The Joint School of Public Health (JSPH) is part of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, an academic health sciences center. Classes will be held at NSU, ODU and Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU.

NSU is only the second historically Black college or university to offer a public health program.

“This is a unique partnership between our two institutions that in time will show the power of regionalism … and how collaboration can be used to find solutions to improve wellness and health outcomes for everyone, especially in underserved communities,” NSU President  Javaune Adams-Gaston said in the release.

Diabetes and heart disease mortality rates across Hampton Roads are higher than other areas of Virginia, according to the Bon Secours 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Plan. Officials leading the JSPH want to improve health equity for the region.

“The Joint School of Public Health is an opportunity for some of the best and the brightest students, faculty and staff in our region to come together to address our most pressing needs around public health and health equity in Hampton Roads,” Dr. Alfred Abuhamad, executive vice president of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU and dean of the Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU, stated in a news release.

The JSPH will offer two departments: the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, and the Department of Health Behavior, Policy and Management. Students can earn bachelor of science degrees in public health; public health with a major in health services administration; and environmental health. Master’s degrees in public health and health care administration and a doctorate in health services research will also be offered.

Next, the JSPH will seek accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health, a national accreditation body that requires a site visit and curriculum review.