Our History

The history of Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions connects tradition with innovation. From early clinical services and nursing education to today’s interdisciplinary programs and partnerships, our story reflects a continuing commitment to preparing health professionals and improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Our Roots Before the College

Several programs and services that would become part of CHSP began decades before the college’s founding. These early efforts established a lasting foundation of clinical education, community service and accessible learning.

• 1937: The Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic was founded, connecting education with services for the community.
• 1968: Ohio University began its associate degree program in nursing.
• 1975: The RN-to-BSN program launched through distance learning, expanding opportunities for registered nurses to continue their education.

Founding the College and Expanding Its Reach

In 1979, Ohio University established the College of Health and Human Services and appointed Hilda Richards as its founding dean. Richards was Ohio University’s first female dean and first Black dean. Under her leadership, the college expanded to encompass a broad range of disciplines, including physical therapy and health administration.

The college continued to connect professional education with community needs through clinical services, outreach and research.

• 1984: Ohio University Therapy Associates was founded as a physical therapy clinic.
• 1996: Kids on Campus was established.
• 1999: The Center for Appalachian and Rural Health Research was created.

A New Home and New Opportunities

In 2001, the college moved into a redesigned Grover Center, bringing its programs together in a single building. Originally Ohio University’s basketball arena, Grover was transformed into a home for health professions education, with classrooms, laboratories and spaces for clinical learning and collaboration.

During this period, the college also expanded graduate education and strengthened its focus on rural health.

• 2003: The Center for Appalachian and Rural Health Research became the Appalachian Rural Health Institute.
• 2004: The Master of Science in Nursing program began.
• 2008: The online Master of Health Administration program launched, extending the college’s reach to students beyond campus.

Becoming the College of Health Sciences and Professions

In 2010, academic restructuring established the College of Health Sciences and Professions, sharpening the college’s focus on health and well-being across disciplines.

New programs, facilities and partnerships continued to broaden the college’s contributions to health professions education and community health.

• 2011: Social Work joined CHSP.
• 2013: The School of Nursing graduated the first class of its four-year traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• 2014: College leaders broke ground on a new facility at Ohio University’s Dublin Integrated Education Center.
• 2015: Physician assistant and dietetic internship programs began at the Dublin location. Renovations to Grover Center added a simulation center and expanded research laboratories.
• 2017: The Doctor of Nursing Practice program began, and the Ohio Alliance for Population Health was established.

Strengthening Partnerships and Preparing the Health Workforce

In the 2020s, CHSP continued to expand advanced professional education and community partnerships, building on its longstanding commitment to rural health and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• 2021: The Appalachian Rural Health Institute was rebranded as ADVANCE. The Health Collaborative was formed through a partnership among CHSP, the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.
• 2022: An athletic training residency began in Dublin.
• 2023: The Community Health Worker Center of Excellence was established.
• 2025: CHSP’s Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice program began.
• 2026: The Ohio University Academic Health Sciences Center (OHIO-AHSC) was established with approval from the Board of Trustees, creating a framework for collaboration across the university’s health-related education, research and community engagement.

Building on Our History

Across generations, CHSP has grown by bringing people and disciplines together to meet changing health needs. Today, that history informs our shared priorities: preparing graduates who are practice-ready, team-ready and future-ready, advancing discovery and working with communities to improve health and well-being.