Bethel University has launched the Anderson Family College of Health Sciences, taking the next big step in providing solid, faith-based healthcare education. “This tells the healthcare industry in our area that we are focused and excellent at training professionals,” says Bethel University Provost Robin Rylaarsdam. 

The new college combines Bethel’s healthcare-related courses and departments from the College of Arts & Sciences as well as the College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School—applied health sciences, public and community health, counseling, undergrad and post-baccalaureate nursing, undergrad and graduate social work, medical sciences, nurse-midwifery, physician assistant, and one of several pre-med pathways. “This allows us to have synergy between different professional programs as we collaborate with healthcare systems to provide clinical training spaces,” says Rylaarsdam. “And it increases our ability to do inter-professional training, preparing our graduates better for their careers—they’ll practice in groups with different types of healthcare workers, all cooperating for the patient’s benefit.” 

A launch celebration on October 9 brought together students, faculty, donors, alumni, and area healthcare partners to honor donors Barb and Rollie Anderson and their family and officially name the school. “The Anderson’s gift will add jet fuel to our shared vision of creating the premier Christ-centered college of health in the Midwest,” says Mark Hintz, Bethel’s vice president of transformational giving.