EVMS and ODU have a long history of working together collaboratively on many academic, outreach and research initiatives. The partnership between the two institutions has been growing in recent years. That growth will continue with a focus on serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and local communities. Below are descriptions of just a sampling of projects that involved cooperation between EVMS and ODU prior to the integration.
EVMS, ODU and Norfolk State University are establishing the Joint School of Public Health. The school, which will be the first school of public health in Virginia, will offer collaborative Master of Public Health and doctoral programs, continuing education opportunities, contemporary teaching modalities and educational opportunities through partnerships. Research will focus on health disparities, and students will have service-learning opportunities.
During the early stages of the pandemic when personal protective gear was in short supply, EVMS medical students worked alongside a team of ODU engineers to prepare 3-D-printed N95 masks for use at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.
ODU is an important educational pipeline for EVMS. In fact, key leaders at EVMS received training at ODU and EVMS. Among them is Marissa Galicia-Castillo, MD, Director of the EVMS Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. Another is Kim Dempsey, EdD, MPA, Director of the EVMS Physician Assistant and Doctor of Medical Science programs.
EVMS and ODU won Congressional funding to jointly establish the National Center for Collaboration in Medical Modeling and Simulation. The center’s focus is on developing, evaluating and commercializing ways to enhance medical training and care.
Scientists from EVMS and ODU collaborated on research in a field of study known as bioelectrics. One study sought to measure the impact of radio frequencies on cells. Another study examined how brief bursts of electricity can cause cancer cells to self-destruct.
EVMS and ODU are key partners in the state-funded Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium. The initiative works to assess the region’s pressing health needs and supports research to address those concerns.
EVMS, ODU, the Sentara Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore shared a national award presented to the ODU School of Nursing by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Exemplary Practice Partnership Award recognizes the group for its efforts to expose nursing students to an interprofessional practice setting and give them an appreciation for how social determinants can impact health.
ODU is a partner with EVMS and a range of clinicians, scientists and other organizations in the EVMS Head and Neck Cancer Initiative. The initiative has built a multi-disciplinary team to research and treat the sixth most common form of cancer.
ODU is a partner in the EVMS TEACH project, an educational effort focused on community health. The grant-supported effort seeks to improve population health and reduce health-care disparities.