Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/332636
W HEN JAY A. GERSHEN, DDS, PhD, began his tenure as President of Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), the facility had recently trans- formed from a small College of Medicine serving Kent State University, Youngstown State University and the University of Akron, to an independent medical uni- versity now featuring colleges of graduate studies, medicine and pharmacy. Since the transition, NEOMED has grown in size and scope. A $166 million, three-phase campus expansion project has already seen the completion of a state-of- the-art education and research facility as well as student residences, and it continues with progress towards the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center — a 177,338-square-foot facility designed with space for community-accessible health and wellness services, a new conference center, educational classroom space and clinical office space for pharmacists and primary care providers. Each phase of the project will further NEOMED's mission. Funding for the latter two has been made available through a public/private partnership between the University and SIGNET Development. Community Importance As the building projects bring world-class accommodations to NEOMED's campus, the focus of its education remains local. "Our mission is to develop innovative workforce solutions for health professions," Dr. Gershen says. "We do that using a community-based model." AS IT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS SERVING THE REGION, NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IS EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH. IN THE MIDST OF THIS EXPANSION, ITS MISSION — TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF LOCAL PHYSICIANS, PHARMACISTS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND HEALTHCARE LEADERS — REMAINS. NEOMED: Transforming the Future of Health Care Construction of the 177,388-square-foot NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center is well underway. Shown here discussing the facility's progress are (L-R) John Wray, JD, Vice President, Administration and Finance; Jay A. Gershen, DDS, PhD, NEOMED President; and Richard W. Lewis, MS, MA, Secretary, Board of Trustees, and Director, Governmental Relations. By Michael Ferguson PHOTOS © JOE SMITHBERGER, SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON COV ER FE AT UR E 8 | Cleveland/Akron/Canton MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M ■ J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 4