SpectRUm – Roseman University Celebrates 25 Years: Celebrating our Past. Elevating our Future.

Featured in the Winter 2024 print edition of spectRUm magazine.

In a milestone celebration marking Roseman University’s 25-year journey, President and Co-founder Dr. Renee Coffman delivered the 25th Anniversary State of the University address on October 29, 2024. Speaking to a virtual audience of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends, Dr. Coffman reflected on the institution’s evolution from the Nevada College of Pharmacy to its current status as a comprehensive health sciences university.

“Twenty-five years ago, as the Nevada College of Pharmacy, the first and only pharmacy school in Nevada, we embarked on a bold, but simple mission: to produce highly competent graduates through improved pharmacy education,” said Dr. Coffman. “As we grew to what is today Roseman University of Health Sciences, our mission evolved — to advance the health and wellness of the communities we serve by educating current and future generations of health professionals, conducting research, and providing patient care.”

From its humble beginnings as a single college in Henderson, Nevada, Roseman has expanded to include campuses in Henderson and Summerlin, Nevada, and South Jordan, Utah, offering programs in pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and graduate studies. The university’s growth is guided by four foundational pillars: transforming education, reimagining healthcare, embracing discovery, and a commitment to community.

The university’s innovative Six-Point Mastery Learning Model ®, first implemented in its Doctor of Pharmacy program, has been a cornerstone of its success. “Because of the Six Point Mastery Learning Model ® created by Roseman, we found that the PharmD curriculum could be delivered in three years, rather than the more traditional four years without sacrificing quality,” explained Dr. Coffman.

This successful approach has been adapted across other programs, most notably in the transformation of the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from a traditional four-year curriculum to three years. The College of Dental Medicine has also implemented a team-based clinical education model that moves beyond traditional single-practice paradigms. Through primary and secondary provider teams, DMD students treat four to six patients daily, accelerating their clinical proficiency while preparing them for modern healthcare’s collaborative nature.

The transformation has enabled significant growth, with the College of Dental Medicine expanding from 100 students per cohort to 140 first-year students this academic year, with plans to reach 156 students next year. The success of this model demonstrates Roseman’s commitment to innovative education approaches.

The College of Nursing has also expanded its offerings, launching two doctoral programs: the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia – the first nurse anesthetist program in Nevada – and the Doctor of Nursing Practice—Family Nurse Practitioner program. Additionally, the college has transformed its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum to a concept-based model, enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and adaptability.

A significant milestone in Roseman’s growth is the upcoming launch of the College of Medicine. Following the completion of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education site visit in August, the university anticipates a decision on preliminary accreditation in early 2025. If approved, the College of Medicine will be located at the Summerlin campus and will incorporate Roseman’s innovative educational model while addressing crucial healthcare needs in the region.

Central to the College of Medicine’s approach is the GENESIS program, which will embed medical students in Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable households from their first year. “Through GENESIS, we’re not just going to train physicians; we’re developing community health leaders who will help shape the future of healthcare in Southern Nevada,” said Dr. Coffman. The program emphasizes the importance of social determinants of health, which account for 80 to 90 percent of health outcomes.

Roseman’s commitment to community service extends beyond education through innovative programs and healthcare initiatives. The EMPOWERED program provides vital resources and support to pregnant and new mothers in recovery from substance use disorders, demonstrating the university’s dedication to addressing critical healthcare challenges. Additionally, the university has expanded its dental clinics, with the South Jordan campus growing from 106 to 155 patient chairs, and plans to expand the Henderson clinic from seven to 40 chairs. These expansions support both student training and community access to affordable dental care.

Research excellence remains a priority for Roseman. The university’s annual Research Symposium has grown from 65 presentations in 2015 to 371 research contributions in 2024. Roseman’s Bioscience Collaborative has provided the infrastructure, facilities, workforce development and collaboration opportunities to reinforce Nevada and Utah as attractive locations for bioscience companies conducting breakthrough research.

Roseman’s commitment to the communities it serves is perhaps its most defining characteristic. From free dental screenings and cleanings for underserved children to Medicare assistance programs that have saved beneficiaries millions, the university’s community engagement initiatives have had a profound impact.

“Our success stems from the dedication of our entire university community – our passionate faculty who lead by example, our committed students who embody service through action, and our valuable partners who amplify our reach,” said Dr. Coffman. “Together, we’ve created a model of community engagement that transforms both the lives of those we serve and the educational experience of our students.”

Looking ahead, Roseman is undertaking an ambitious expansion of its Summerlin campus. The three-phase, ten-year project is projected to generate $1.86 billion in economic impact, support 10,624 jobs, and produce $37.5 million in tax revenue for Nevada by 2032.

“Over the past 25 years, we’ve built a strong foundation with a track record of accomplishments that propels us forward into the next 25 years with anticipation and confidence to continue Roseman’s innovation in higher education, patient care, research and discovery, and community service,” Dr. Coffman concluded.

As Roseman University marks its silver anniversary, it stands poised to continue its mission of advancing healthcare education and community wellness through its commitment to innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge research, and dedicated community service. The institution’s growth and achievements over the past quarter-century serve as a strong foundation for its ambitious plans to elevate the future of health sciences education and healthcare delivery in the communities it serves.

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