POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Marist University and Nuvance Health, now joining Northwell Health, are deepening their strategic academic alliance to enhance healthcare education and workforce development throughout the Hudson Valley and tri-state region.

The relationship now includes the launch of a new leadership certificate program taught by Marist faculty and designed to cultivate emerging leaders within Nuvance Health. The two organizations have already been working together for nearly a decade to grow the healthcare workforce of tomorrow through expanded student pipelines and providing training in an array of clinical placements and care delivery settings. Nuvance Health offers clinical rotations for Marist students in physician assistant, physical therapy, and medical laboratory science programs.

“Our newly expanded partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Marist and Nuvance,” said Dean of Science and Senior Associate Provost for Academic Operations, Dr. Alicia Slater. “I’m proud that the work we began years ago has helped lay the groundwork for an agreement that now brings in two additional schools across our campus.”

The University’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics is also exploring ways to develop new opportunities for technology students to learn about and work with healthcare data. This would create valuable pre-professional training for Marist students – and a potential workforce pipeline for Nuvance Health – amid rising demand for professionals who can turn complex healthcare data into actionable insights.

Together, the organizations are addressing workforce needs in the fast-growing and talent-scarce healthcare sector while helping to grow and retain talent in the Hudson Valley and beyond. A report from Albany’s Center for Health Workforce Studies projects a shortfall of 2,500 to 17,000 physicians statewide by 2030, with the Hudson Valley among the regions likely to have the largest gaps in meeting demand. The region’s aging population is also driving greater demand for healthcare services, while a shrinking workforce is leaving fewer nurses, doctors, and lab technicians to meet that need, according to local think-tank Pattern for Progress.

“Our two institutions share a commitment to providing students with exceptional applied learning experiences that prepare them for real-world challenges,” said Dr. Catherine Gunther Kodat, Provost at Marist. “Working together not only enriches the educational journey but also helps build a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the evolving health needs of our communities.” 

“Leadership in healthcare is not just about managing teams — it’s about inspiring purpose, fostering resilience, and driving innovation in service of our patients,” said Dr. Dereck DeLeon, Chief Academic Officer for Nuvance Health. “This partnership with Marist University reflects our shared commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of care with integrity, empathy, and excellence.” 

New Leadership Certificate Program at Nuvance Health
The newly launched Emerging Leaders Program at Nuvance Health is a 15-week course designed by Marist University to equip early-career leaders at the healthcare system with essential skills in financial stewardship, people and team management, communication, and decision-making.

Taught by Marist’s expert faculty in the School of Management, this program was tailored for employees with significant workplace experience who are eager to develop their leadership skills. Participants attend weekly, interactive virtual sessions during paid work hours. The first group of 25 celebrated their graduation in late September.

“This program is a prime example of how targeted, real-time learning can empower future leaders,” said Dr. Will Lamb, Dean of Marist’s School of Management. “We’re proud to collaborate with Nuvance Health to help employees grow their leadership potential and strengthen the healthcare workforce from within through lifelong learning and upskilling programs.”

“At Nuvance Health, we believe in growing talent from within and creating pathways for our people to thrive,” said Katie Cullinan, Chief Human Resources Officer for Nuvance Health. “This collaboration with Marist University is a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can unlock opportunity, strengthen our workforce, and ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”

Medical and Health Services Manager is consistently ranked among the Best Health Care Jobs by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, it was ranked highly based on factors like salary, job market, future growth, stress level, and work-life balance.

A data integrity specialist for Nuvance Health for the past 11 years, Patricia Neves was among 25 recent graduates of the first Emerging Leaders cohort. The sessions taught her valuable skills in communication, teamwork, budgeting, conflict resolution, and more, and will help her toward her goal of a career in the health system’s Human Resources Department.

“This was a great program that provided me with teaching tools I can use at work,” Neves said. “I want to share the skills I learned with my colleagues.”

Expanding Clinical Training Opportunities
In addition to leadership development, the partnership continues to enhance clinical education for Marist students preparing for healthcare careers. As part of the agreement: 

• Students in the PA, DPT, and medical laboratory science programs receive hands-on training at Nuvance Health facilities, including state-of-the-art medical centers, a Level I trauma center, pediatric inpatient services, and award-winning birth centers. 
• Dedicated liaisons from both organizations ensure students have access to the resources and support they need during their clinical rotations. 
• Marist and Nuvance Health collaborate each semester to align academic needs with clinical experiences, ensuring programs address the latest marketplace demands.

Clinical rotations are a cornerstone of healthcare education, offering students immersive, hands-on experiences that directly support their professional development and career readiness.

“Clinical placements at Nuvance Health’s Vassar Brothers, Danbury, Northern Dutchess, and other healthcare settings ensure our students gain the practical skills and professional insight they need to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape,” said Dr. Slater.

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About Marist University
Founded in 1929, Marist University is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution that blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Florence, Italy, as well as more than 70 programs offering a variety of international study options, the University is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering nearly 50 majors, Marist fosters the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University encourages students to explore beyond traditional academic boundaries, pursuing coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been recognized as a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Princeton Review, and others.

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. We care for over three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our over 100,000 employees — including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners and Nuvance Health Medical Practices — are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.