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SOUTHFIELD — On Jan. 17, Lawrence Technological University established its fifth college, the College of Health Sciences.
Tarek Sobh, LTU’s president, explained that the establishment of this fifth college was born out of necessity. Since 2017, when LTU began offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the university has observed a growing need for technologically trained medical professionals.
The board of trustees approved the College of Health Sciences in October 2022 and began implementing the administrative and budgetary structures for a 2023 launch. The interim provost, Richard Heist, will oversee the college until more programs are elected and a full-time dean is in place.
“We decided that it’s about time that we try to enter that area and establish these very-much-needed health sciences programs in which there is a workers shortage while also ensuring that these programs that we establish in the health sciences provide the right technological background,” Sobh said.
The shortage Sobh refers to is affected by the high demand that the nursing profession has faced over the past few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic stressing this profession. According to data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August of 2022, for every 1,000 people in the U.S., there are 10.17 nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that there will be an estimated 13% growth increase from 2021 to 2031 in overall employment in health care occupations. This increase will result in 2 million new jobs over the decade.
Since LTU’s founding in 1932, the university has come to offer over 100 programs, with an emphasis on integrating technology. LTU is one of 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States.
According to the press release from LTU, The College of Health Sciences will include a nursing department, a physician assistant master’s degree and a master’s degree in health care management. Though a master’s of science in cardiovascular perfusion will be affiliated with the new college, it will remain in the College of Engineering due to a contractual agreement.
Sobh said LTU is distinguished from other universities in the state and the country offering similar programs because of LTU’s technological edge and desire to fill gaps in the workforce.
“We just graduated our second nursing class in 2022. And at the same time, we are very conscious of the incredible shortage of physician assistants. Hence, we started our physician assistant master’s program and admitted our first class within the program last year. And again, that’s because we want to fill a gap within the health care industry. At the same time, last year, we established a very unique program, our master’s degree in cardiovascular perfusion. I think it’s one out of somewhere between 15 to 18 programs in the country, and the only one in the state of Michigan.”
With the launch of this new college, Sobh said he is excited for LTU in the coming year, stating that there are more things to look forward to in 2023 as LTU continues to develop more programs for its newest college.
“Lots of great things are happening. We’re coming up with great new programs, really expanding our research and development and interdisciplinary programming across the campus,” he said.
