NEOMED Prepares to Launch New Online Degree Program

Using a technology platform and support services available through a new shared services agreement with Kent State University, NEOMED will begin offering its first completely online graduate program.

State Sen. John Eklund joined the crowd that assembled Monday, Aug. 6, at the NEOMED Education and Wellness Center as NEOMED President Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D., and Kent State University President Beverly J. Warren, Ed. D., Ph. D., announced an agreement to bring online degree programs to NEOMED’s College of Graduate Studies. The first completely online program will be a Health-System Pharmacy Administration (HSPA) Master of Science degree program. In the coming months, the online program will replace the University’s current HSPA program.

President Gershen noted in his remarks that NEOMED and Kent State’s wide-ranging collaborations date back nearly 50 years ― when NEOMED was founded to meet the region’s critical need for primary care physicians and Kent State was one of the original state universities in Northeast Ohio to provide medical students in a partnership with NEOMED. Dr. Gershen continued, listing other ways in which the two universities have partnered since. For example, NEOMED offers research opportunities for Kent State undergraduate students and provides cadavers to Kent’s College of Podiatric Medicine.

The Cleveland Clinic has partnered with NEOMED to train its pharmacy students since the inception of the College of Pharmacy. It looks forward to increased collaboration with the College and its dean, Richard Kasmer, Pharm.D., J.D., according to a statement from Scott Knoer, Pharm.D., FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer at the Cleveland Clinic.

Already, 22 people have graduated from NEOMED’s HSPA program, which will continue to be led by Scott Wisneski, Pharm.D., as it transitions to an online-only model. Speaking at the signing, Dr. Wisneski said that the program offers the added professional training needed to meet the ever-changing responsibilities and challenges faced by health-system pharmacy administrators.

Increased efficiencies benefit students and boost Ohio’s economy

The new agreement aligns with the Northeast Ohio Regional Higher Education Compact, in which nine public colleges and universities have committed to create operational and educational efficiencies and initiatives. NEOMED and Kent State’s shared commitment to affordable education and workforce development also meshes with the ForwardOhio campaign (led by the Inter-University Council of 14 public universities statewide) in which these universities boost the Ohio economy.

NEOMED will maintain academic, administrative and financial services, including admissions, for the new online programs. Kent State will help provide technological support services, such as a course management system, video hosting and instructional design. The classes will be taught by NEOMED faculty.