The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions is celebrating its 25th anniversary!

The college was established July 1, 1997 with two departments: Communication Disorders and Health Promotion and Rehabilitation. The Board of Trustees approved the name The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions on December 8, 2000. There are now more than 30 programs, both undergraduate and graduate, within the college, which consists of five departments: Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Health Sciences, Physical Education and Sport, Physical Therapy, and School of Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences.

Highlights of the College of Health Professions

• 1^st accredited Doctor of Audiology program in the United States
• 1^st Athletic Training (initially Sports Medicine) major in the United States
• The only nationally accredited Environmental Health and Safety program in the State of Michigan
• The opening of the Hands for Health student clinic is in 1998
• The inception of the Health Professions Residential College living and learning community in 1999
• The opening of the current Health Professions building in 2004
• In 2014, Mobile Health Central, our clinic on wheels, was established for students to gain experience, under the direction of their faculty, in providing health services to local communities
• The Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education enhances the educational experience for students and has helped thousands of patients across Michigan improve their quality of life
• The College of Health Professions partners with over 800 clinics, educational, social service, government, business, and other agencies in Mt. Pleasant, MI, the United States, and around the world every year
• In 2020, the Interprofessional Education and Practice Center opened as a way for students to practice their clinical skills with standardized patients and simulation in interdisciplinary teams
• Over 2,500 current internship/clinical site affiliations globally

There have been many accomplishments over the past 25 years that demonstrate CHP’s reach domestically and internationally. CHP continues to look ahead toward the future. Dean Tom Masterson recently announced the expansion of the Physician Assistant Program, which will grow by 20 students beginning in 2023. The Physical Therapy Department will request to expand their program in the future years. CHP is also exploring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.

Dean Tom Masterson stated, “CHP has a long history of educating high-quality healthcare practitioners that have and continue to serve rural and underserved areas of Michigan, the Mission of our college.”

The health occupations sector continues to grow, and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions plans to lead in the education of current and future students fostering a culture of excellence through collaborative clinical and professional practice, learner-centered education, leadership, research, and service.