Geisinger College of Health Sciences Launched

Opening a Geisinger blue umbrella and holding it aloft, newly installed president and dean, Julie Byerley, M.D., MPH, announced the formation of Geisinger College of Health Sciences. The college will serve as the “umbrella” institution uniting Geisinger’s School of Medicine, School of Nursing and School of Graduate Education under a single entity. In addition, the new entity will oversee the expansion of the Geisinger School of Nursing from a diploma-granting to a degree-granting institution that will bestow an associate degree in nursing. The new organizational structure also paves the way for future health professions programs needed to serve our region.

“Geisinger Commonwealth Day is a celebration we created to honor our past and embrace our future,” Dr. Byerley said. “There was no better forum than a setting uniting our founders, our community and our health system leadership to celebrate this next step in the life of local medical and health education.”

“The evolution of our current nursing program has been a goal for some time, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life — especially now, when nurses are needed most,” said Janet Tomcavage, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “This step forward will help even more individuals begin a rewarding career in nursing.”

Dr. Byerley noted that Geisinger Commonwealth remains the name of the School of Medicine — and the school’s commitment to its founding mission hasn’t changed. “Our school will remain focused on serving our community, providing opportunity and advancement for local learners and leveraging the discoveries of our research team to improve health and well-being.”

The new structure, Dr. Byerley said, will create more synergy and opportunities for interprofessional learning experiences and greater collaboration with Geisinger’s Research Institute. “It’s a win for our learners and our scientists,” she said. “Our community will reap the benefits of our integrated, cooperative approach to educating the healthcare teams of the future.”