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ODU unveils the Ellmer College of Health Sciences’ new home

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A group of leaders from ODU and the community cut a ribbon during the opening celebration of the new health sciences building

By Kenya Godette

Old Dominion University hosted an opening celebration, including a ribbon cutting, for the Ellmer College of Health Sciences’ new home located at 1019 W. 41st St. on Aug. 29.

The recently completed 128,257-square-foot building, which began development in 2016, is home to two public-facing clinics, the Faschini Wallach Center for Restorative Therapies and the Sofia & David Konikoff Dental Hygiene Care Facility, and houses six of the University’s health sciences programs.

Following the July 1 integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University, the Ellmer College of Health Sciences is a building block of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, forming the largest and most complex academic health sciences center in the commonwealth. Its strategic placement on public bus routes makes the University’s health services more accessible to the Hampton Roads community.

“This building would not be possible without support from the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “This building is for our campus and this amazing community. This building is truly an example of the transformational power and growing impact of ODU on our students and the citizens that we are honored to serve.”

In February 2020, the University’s proposed health sciences building was recommended to the General Assembly for full funding and, in 2021, the University broke ground on the new facility.

“Today, we just don't celebrate a ribbon cutting and opening this gorgeous space and all that's going to happen inside of it, but this is also a tangible and visible milestone in the incredible integration of two terrific organizations into something that is going to change the lives of so many people, not just here in the Hampton Roads region, but also in the commonwealth,” said The Honorable Aimee Rogstad Guidera, secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Secretary Guidera praised Dennis and Jan Ellmer — the namesakes of the college — for building upon the state’s investment by supporting “students of today and the healthcare heroes of tomorrow,” who will work in clinics and hospitals in Hampton Roads.

Their $20 million gift committed funding for scholarship awards through the Dennis & Jan Ellmer Health Scholars Program and the Dennis & Jan Ellmer Nursing Scholars Program to students pursuing health sciences degrees at ODU. Award recipients must commit to work in the region or state following graduation.

“Jan and I choose to support this cutting-edge health sciences initiative, because we truly believe in the transformative power of a healthy community,” Ellmer said. “Our family is honored to be affiliated with this great institution, especially the Ellmer College of Health Sciences and the Ellmer School of Nursing. Together, our family and ODU are changing lives, and we could not be prouder!”

Students are eligible for the scholarships if enrolled in the ODU College of Health Sciences, the ODU School of Nursing, the EVMS School of Health Professions, or the proposed Joint School of Public Health, a partnership with Norfolk State University.

With funding for scholarships and expanded facilities, students are better equipped with resources needed to lead the future of health in the region.

“The building mirrors the goals of our recent integration and the launch of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University,” said Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and dean of Eastern Virginia Medical School.

“We are working together to break down silos, push the boundaries of what is possible, and stay on the leading edge of technology without ever losing sight of the people we serve,” he said.

Read more in the Old Dominion University News Center.

Watch a video and view photos from the event.

Learn more about the Ellmer College of Health Sciences.

Pictured at top: University leaders, donors and state and local officials get ready to cut the ribbon at the opening celebration of the Ellmer College of Health Sciences on Aug. 29.