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Bethlehem, Pa., (March 23, 2016)—Delivering a truly inter-professional educational experience in an environment modeled after the best practices in a clinical setting is the cornerstone behind ɫ��ɫ College’s and St. Luke’s University Health Network’s partnership with at the new Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center in the former 24/7 Fitness Center building at 1441 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.

The Center, to be unveiled at a ribbon cutting reception on March 23, features 33,000 square feet of space for ɫ��ɫ College and more than 10,000 square feet of space on the first floor for St. Luke’s University Health Network’s sports medicine and physical therapy services. Highlights include six specialized teaching labs for ɫ��ɫ College and space for St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy services. ɫ��ɫ College worked with J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. which was the design builder for the project. Petrucci chose Cerminara Architects to work with them on the design of the building and the programming of the interior spaces.

The Center will be home to ɫ��ɫ College’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program (MSAT) that launches in June, 2016. The College plans to develop doctorate programs in Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in conjunction with St. Luke’s that will be delivered at the site in the future.

Bryon L. Grigsby, ɫ��ɫ College’s president, says the partnership provides unlimited potential for students in the region. “We are confident that with our partner, St. Luke’s University Health Network, we will develop the preeminent athletic training program in the region,” Grigsby said.

James (Jay) Scifers, a leading national authority on health sciences and athletic training and Chairman, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at ɫ��ɫ, is leading the development of the college’s programs and says the partnership between ɫ��ɫ and St. Luke’s University Health Network is unique in the current academic landscape.

“ɫ��ɫ College’s outstanding relationship with St. Luke’s University Health Network is unique and important for creating top quality programs,” Scifers said. “The programs we are developing are implemented in an inter-disciplinary way such as this at only a handful of schools in the nation. By implementing these new programs, we are providing students with the opportunity to pursue three of the fastest growing occupations in health care.  At the same time, the Lehigh Valley community and beyond benefits from the increased availability of patient care.”

The inclusion of St. Luke’s patient-care facilities and state-of-the-art equipment in the building will allow students to complete both didactic and clinical observation/education in the same building. “We are proud to launch the ɫ��ɫ-St. Luke’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, a unique, cutting-edge facility that will integrate Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation services with education,” said William DeLong, Chief of Orthopedics, St. Luke’s University Health Network.

“This state-of-the-art facility will fulfill a dual mission, it will benefit our community by offering expert care for athletes, from weekend warriors to professionals, and those requiring rehabilitation of any type,” DeLong said. “It will also be the first site where practicing physicians will collaborate with educators across a full spectrum of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation sub-specialties to prepare the medical residents, athletic trainers and physical and occupational therapists of tomorrow.”

“St. Luke’s University Health Network, the region’s largest provider of Sports Medicine services, is proud to be partnered with ɫ��ɫ College and the development of what promises to be the premier location for students looking to pursue careers in the rehabilitation sciences,” said John Hauth, the network’s Senior Director of Sports Medicine.

A former program director, distinguished professor of athletic training and a Pennsylvania Athletic Trainer Hall of Fame Inductee, Hauth says ɫ��ɫ and St. Luke’s have invested significant resources and are committed to providing students interested in athletic training, occupational and physical therapy with unparalleled access to the best facilities and clinician-scholars. “The integration of our graduate medical education programs in orthopedics, sports medicine and physical and occupational therapy provide a unique opportunity for training the next generation of practitioners in the health sciences.”

Scifers, who developed an immersion clinical education program at Western Carolina University that the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education calls a preferred model for clinical education, heralded the new partnership.

“Our graduates will benefit from the fact that mentoring and inter-professional collaboration with practicing clinicians from St. Luke’s University Health Network is taking place under one roof at ɫ��ɫ College” he said. “It is a model that you don’t find very often, one that offers unique benefits to our students.”

ɫ��ɫ College is also developing an accelerated 3-plus-2 and 3-plus-3 cohort program in health sciences, in which students can finish their undergraduate health sciences program and then choose athletic training, occupational therapy and physical therapy for their graduate degree. When accredited, ɫ��ɫ College will be one of only two schools in the country where students can complete a Masters in Athletic Training and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree in four years.

Hauth is excited about what’s in store at the new Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center. “The possibilities are endless for ɫ��ɫ College students, our clinicians and for the community,” Hauth said. “We’re excited about everything that is going to happen here from a practice, education and research perspective.”