Medical opportunities continue to expand in the Roanoke Valley as Radford University announces it will partner with Carilion Clinic and Jefferson College of Health Sciences to offer a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.
Dozens of people were at the announcement Tuesday at Roanoke Community Hospital.
Radford University President, Penelope Kyle explains why the university decided to begin the program now, "We become a part of this new medical campus that is being created here in Roanoke by Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine... Radford feels it is important with our health sciences programs that we be here and participate in this collaboration too."
Jefferson College of Health Sciences President, NL Bishop says, "The economic impact of that is always good for the region then you will have these people with this special expertise that will be located right here in this area."
Kyle explains the timing for the new program is right because of all of the medical growth seen in the Roanoke area and because of an aging population that will need the services Radford will allow students to eventually offer.
She says, "It is a much needed high demand program throughout the country today mainly because so many of us baby boomers are aging and finding we need the services of a physical therapist."
25 students will be allowed into the program when it begins next year and there will be 75 students once enrollment is full.
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