野狼社区 University will host an open house from 5 to 7:30 p.m. June 28 for its College of Health Professions.
Prospective students of various levels are invited to learn about the programs offered at OCU, from high school students interested in learning more about health care professions, to transfer students seeking a bachelor鈥檚 degree, to graduate students seeking advanced degrees. Registration for the open house can be made at okcu.edu/healthopenhouse.
OCU鈥檚 College of Health Professions was established in 2021 and encompasses the Kramer School of Nursing and the university鈥檚 Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy programs. School officials said growing interest in health care disciplines is a key component in helping to address severe shortages of health care professionals in Oklahoma.
鈥淭hese rewarding careers are in high demand. Health care staff shortages, exacerbated by the pandemic, are projected to remain for years to come,鈥� said Gina Crawford, interim dean of the college and the nursing school. 鈥淚t is imperative that we address this issue immediately.
鈥淥ur graduates have positively impacted the delivery of health care in Oklahoma and across the nation. We look forward to the opportunity to share information about our programs with prospective students.鈥�
Shortages persist throughout the state and country. A March by Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts, noted that 鈥渁t least 20 governors this year directly addressed the situation in their state-of-the-state speeches.鈥�
Open house participants will hear from program directors, faculty and staff, and will have the opportunity to visit with OCU President Kenneth Evans. Participants may also tour the Meinders Simulation Center, featuring the latest in medical simulation technology.
