St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network is pleased to announce that its newly created St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences has begun accepting applications for its inaugural class, which will begin in May 2026.<\/p>\n
The College, which shares a campus with St. Luke\u2019s University Hospital \u2013 Bethlehem, is now enrolling students at\u00a0www.StLukesCollege.org<\/a>\u00a0for the following programs:<\/p>\n In addition to its degree-granting programs, the College will also offer general education coursework.<\/p>\n Approval to establish the St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences was granted in October 2025 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, marking a strategic step that will shape the future of health care education and workforce development in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a historic milestone for the Lehigh Valley,\u201d said Mary Grace Simcox, EdD, RN, first president of the St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences. \u201cThe launch of the St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences reflects a bold commitment to strengthening our health care workforce by providing an affordable, local pathway to high-demand careers complete with guaranteed clinical placements, hands-on learning, small class sizes, and clear opportunities for professional advancement.\u201d<\/p>\n Respiratory Care and Radiography classes will be held at the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center, while the RN to BSN program will be offered fully online with a curriculum designed to support adult learners seeking non-traditional college experiences.\u00a0Students will also have access to simulation and skills labs, study areas, and library resources.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s longstanding partnerships with regional colleges and universities will continue while the new College expands the Network\u2019s ability to address workforce shortages in critical health care roles by broadening access to education. Even with these strong partnerships, the need to establish an institution of higher learning is critical, Simcox said.<\/p>\n According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care and social assistance sector is projected to experience the largest job growth of any industry between 2024 and 2034, driven by an aging population and persistent workforce shortages. Meeting this demand requires strong, accessible education pathways that support individuals at every stage of their professional journey.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s has long been a leader in medical education, operating the oldest School of Nursing in the country, providing the only four-year medical school through The Temple St. Luke\u2019s School of Medicine, and offering more than 60 Graduate Medical Education programs to prepare the next generation of physicians and advanced practitioners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe launch of the St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences reflects St. Luke\u2019s ongoing commitment as a national leader in health care education and builds on that foundation, completing a comprehensive education continuum designed to prepare, advance, and retain the health care workforce of tomorrow,\u201d Simcox said. \u201cWe are excited to welcome our first class of students and help them start, grow and thrive in a health care career.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information or to apply, visit\u00a0www.StLukesCollege.org<\/a>\u00a0or watch\u00a0\u00a0St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences Overview Video<\/a>.<\/p>\n About St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences is a private, not-for-profit, singularly focused institution of higher learning committed to preparing tomorrow\u2019s health care practitioners and leaders by providing an unparalleled educational experience that comprises both hands-on clinical and classroom learning. It is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on a beautiful campus shared with St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n About St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network<\/strong><\/p>\n Founded in 1872, St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network with annual net revenue of more than $4.5 billion. With 23,000+ employees at 16 hospital campuses and 350+ outpatient sites, it is the Lehigh Valley\u2019s biggest employer.<\/p>\n The Network\u2019s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital is based at the Bethlehem Campus.<\/p>\n Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke\u2019s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley\u2019s first and only four-year medical school. It also operates the nation\u2019s oldest continuously operated School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 60+ fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 530+ residents and fellows.<\/p>\n In 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognized St. Luke\u2019s ahead of nationally renowned Mayo Clinic and Houston Methodist as the nation\u2019s three highest performing health systems for quality, safety and patient experience \u2013 affirming St. Luke\u2019s status as a leader among the largest and best-known health care providers in the country.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s has been named a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World\u2019s Best Hospital. It is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare\u2019s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. In 2025, the Network earned straight A\u2019s from Leapfrog across all of its acute care hospitals. It has earned 100 Top Hospital designations from Premier 11 years in a row, including in 2021 when its flagship University Hospital was identified as THE #1 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of SLUHN\u2019s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network is pleased to announce that its newly created St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences has begun accepting applications for its inaugural class, which will begin … Continue reading St. Luke\u2019s Launches St. Luke\u2019s College of Health Sciences to Strengthen Regional Health Care Workforce<\/span> \n
\nSam Kennedy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"