Health care is a multi-disciplinary field: it’s not just nurses and doctors any more —  it demands a collaborative approach, according to Ellen Clayton, the head of the nursing department.

Stevenson is on its way to being a vital part in making this multi-disciplinary approach happen, launching the School of Health Professions, including majors that formerly were a part of the School of Sciences.

On Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m., the School of Health Professions held its official launch with a reception in the art gallery lobby.

The evening’s special guest was Dr. Daniel Morhaim, a member of the House of Delegates and a physician. His lecture, “Hot Topics in Healthcare Today: Medical Cannabis,” began at 5:30 p.m.

Currently the school has two majors, nursing and medical laboratory science. As of right now, these two are the only majors offered in the new school.

The hope is to expand these programs in time, especially the nursing program. Stevenson has one of the largest nursing programs in the state of Maryland, and as the baby boomer population continues to age, the need for professionals in the health care field will become more apparent.

With Stevenson being located so close to some world-renowned hospitals, the university is a logical place to be for any career within the health profession. There is now an even greater need for people who have nursing degrees and degrees in laboratory sciences.

In the fall of 2016, the School of Health Professions will move to the new Academic Center on the Owings Mills North campus. Within the new building, there will be more space for the nursing skill labs and simulation centers with state-of-the-art equipment for teaching.