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About Our School

Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences

A powerful partnership

Established in 2021, the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University is an historic academic health partnership between Rowan University, a top 100 public research institution, and Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system. 

As two of the region’s largest institutions, both Rowan and Virtua are leaders in higher education and health care, distinguished in the region and nationally—and united in a vision to improve the quality, experience and capabilities of health care for all people. Together, we are advancing research for the discovery of new treatments, breaking down barriers of inequality and access to care, resulting in the improved health and well-being of all.

Dedicated to improving health for all, the college will transform the practice of medicine using an approach that treats the whole person, not a disease. Driven by world-class physicians, healthcare professionals and researchers, the college aspires to become a national leader in healthcare education, discovery and innovation.

Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing and Health Professions

Together, Rowan University and Virtua Health are creating a learning environment that empowers students, healthcare providers and researchers to improve health and wellness for all.

Building upon the strengths of two well-established education programs, the Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing and Health Professions (Salva SNHP) equips health and wellness professionals and enhances their skills and collaborative capacity to provide care and expertise. We offer a variety of programs, from specialized certificates to undergraduate and graduate level degrees. Our graduates are destined to elevate health and wellness care as they serve in our communities.

Nursing

Health and Exercise Science

Allied Health

Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions Vision

The School of Nursing & Health Professions at Rowan University will be a leading force in:

  • Preparing exemplary practitioners, providers and leaders in health promotion and health care for a diverse society,
  • Promoting innovative education, scholarship, and evidence-based practice to improve health and health care, and
  • Producing and interpreting knowledge to improve health through outstanding scholarship

As a dynamic and interprofessional organization, Rowan’s School of Nursing & Health Professions prepares nurses and health professionals to promote, maintain and restore health for a diverse society through excellence in education, clinical practice, scholarship, and service.

As members of the School of Nursing & Health Profession community, we are committed to the following core values

  •   An inclusive, safe and welcoming environment where everyone is treated with compassion, dignity and respect
  •   The highest standards of professional, academic, service and scholarly excellence, ethical conduct, personal and social responsibility, and social justice
  •   A collaborative, engaged, diverse community of learners where students develop a passion for their professions, are committed to lifelong learning, and become sought-after graduates for employers
  •   Commitment to effectiveness, inclusiveness, accessibility, affordability, and quality in our education and the resources that we provide to our students
  •   A teaching and learning environment that embraces and rewards inquiry, innovation, resourcefulness and flexibility, and where diverse talent can flourish
  •   A learning community with fruitful partnerships among faculty, staff, and students that supports work, learning, interprofessional education, and global collaboration
  •   Excellence in leadership that advances nursing and health professions practice and helps shape equitable policy in health care delivery systems and health promotion
  •   Accountability in our work, in our effective use of resources, and in our service to the community

Provide educational and experiential learning opportunities that enhance the knowledge, disposition and skills of all students 

Create a  teaching and learning environment that embraces and rewards inquiry, innovation, resourcefulness and flexibility, and where diverse talent can flourish

Develop and maintain programs that provide affordable pathways to Baccalaureate and Graduate degrees.

Foster a collaborative, engaged, diverse community of learners committed to lifelong learning, and become sought-after graduates for employers

Educate outstanding future professionals who will lead innovation and growth in their professional communities and expand services to the underserved

Build and maintain partnerships among faculty, staff, and students that supports work, learning, interprofessional education, and global collaboration

Promote leadership among students and faculty that advances nursing and health professions practice and policy

Engage in scholarly activity that advances knowledge, improves healthcare, public health and wellness  outcomes and leverages the skills of undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and community partners.

Contact Us

Salva SNHP Dean's Office

Peter Rattigan, PhD
Dean
856-256-5909
rattigan@rowan.edu  

Leslie Spencer, PhD, NBC-HWC
Dean's Fellow
856-256-4500 ext. 53761
spencer@rowan.edu 

Jennifer Ravelli, EdD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
856-256-4869
ravelli@rowan.edu 

Megan McGahey, MA
Administrative Assistant, Finance & Budget Coordinator
856-256-5795
mcgahey@rowan.edu 

 

Department of Health & Exercise Science

Leslie Spencer, PhD, NBC-HWC
Department Chair
856-256-4500, ext. 53761
spencer@rowan.edu 

James Hall, Room 1039
201 Mullica Hill Rd
Glassboro, NJ 08028

 

Department of Nursing

Mary Ellen Santucci, RN, MSN, PhD
Department Head
856-256-5158
santucci@rowan.edu 

Rowan-Virtua Medicine Building
42 East Laurel Rd
Stratford, NJ 08084