Robert Morris University Announces Refined Focus on Health Care,
Terminates Plans for School of Osteopathic Medicine
Redirects focus to addressing shortages in other critical areas, including through offering of new doctor of nursing practice degree this fall.

Consistent with Governor Ed Rendell's proposed "Prescription for Pennsylvania" program and its expanded role for advanced nurse practitioners and other health care professionals, the Board of Trustees of Robert Morris University (RMU) today voted to refine the University's health care focus by terminating efforts to establish a School of Osteopathic Medicine. The University will instead direct its resources at continuing to better address the region's health care shortage through programs in such areas as nursing, patient safety, imaging technology, and allied health.

As part of that shift, the University will begin offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program for advanced practice nurses who already hold masters degrees as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, midwives or nurse anesthetists. This completion degree program will be set to accept students for the fall of 2007. Also beginning this fall, the University will offer a Jewish Healthcare Foundation-funded certificate program in patient safety, with hopes of expanding its offerings in this area to one or more graduate degrees within the next several years.

In addition, RMU has filed an application with the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the creation of a nuclear medicine technology program, which, if approved, could begin as early as this fall. Other future health-related offerings under consideration at RMU include programs in such areas as pharmacy, occupational and physical therapy, clinical nutrition and health care economics.

"In 2005, Robert Morris University announced plans to explore the possibility of establishing a School of Osteopathic Medicine," said Gregory Dell'Omo, Ph.D., president of Robert Morris University. "Since then, we have reevaluated the ever-increasing costs associated with the creation and launch of such a program and have now concluded that continuing to funnel significant resources to create a medical school at a time when we have the opportunity to make a real difference in addressing ongoing shortages in other areas does not make sound financial sense."

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell recently proposed a new "Prescription for Pennsylvania" health plan that calls for broad reforms, a focus on patient and medication safety and a new, expanded role for nurses and other health care professionals in providing access to affordable health care for every Pennsylvanian.

"As a University, we felt the need to reevaluate our role for a variety of reasons and to do our part in helping to support the Governor's proposed plan for Pennsylvania," said David J. Malone, a member of RMU's Board of Trustees. "Under this plan, nurses and other health professionals will have the opportunity to play even greater roles in our health care system. Rather than dilute University resources by attempting to increase the number of nurses and doctors in the region, we've decided to focus on what is already working well - RMU's proven ability to recruit, educate and graduate nurses as well as nurses who can teach others."

Launched in 2003, RMU's nursing programs were created with a specific focus on the region's critical nursing shortage. Since then, the University has played a leading role in addressing this challenge through successful undergraduate and masters in nursing programs that have produced 50 graduates and currently enroll nearly 200 students. The School has been a model for integrating technology and simulation in its curriculum.

The curriculum in RMU's DNP programs will provide all students coursework in developing better teamwork skills with other practitioners, including physicians, social workers, and pharmacists. The completion option will be unique in its method of delivery, offering students the opportunity to study in an executive format. Under this format, students will complete one week each term in residence on RMU's campus with meals and lodging provided and the remainder of the courses online. Currently, there are only 25 DNP programs in existence nationwide; RMU's program is one of just three beginning to be offered in Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1921, Robert Morris University is a private, four-year institution with an enrollment of approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University offers 30 undergraduate degree programs and 18 masters and doctoral degree programs. An estimated 22,000 alumni live and work in western Pennsylvania.