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Sentara Health and VWU Expand Academic Relationship
Institutions share a joint announcement establishing “Sentara College of Health Sciences of ܽƵ”
University News | June 16, 2025
HAMPTON ROADS, VA. - Sentara Health and ܽƵ (VWU) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to expand their academic relationship by establishing a new academic unit at VWU called the “Sentara College of Health Sciences of ܽƵ.”
“This expanded relationship reflects our vision to prepare the healthcare workforce of the future while honoring our deep community ties and proud 130-year academic legacy,” said Dennis Matheis, president and chief executive officer of Sentara Health. “We look forward to working closely with ܽƵ to create new opportunities for students, expand access to in-demand programs, and help meet the growing healthcare needs of the communities we serve.”
This builds upon a strong history of collaboration between and VWU on health-related academic programs, student wellness services, and joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree offerings. The LOI with VWU comes following Sentara’s announcement to realign the SCOHS academic model to better meet current and emerging workforce needs.
“We are honored to expand our longstanding partnership with Sentara Health through the establishment of the Sentara College of Health Sciences of ܽƵ,” said Dr. Scott D. Miller, president of ܽƵ. “This bold step reflects our shared commitment to addressing critical healthcare workforce needs while advancing access to high-quality education. By uniting Sentara’s rich legacy of healthcare excellence with Virginia Wesleyan’s academic infrastructure and student-centered mission, we are creating a powerful model for the future of health sciences education in Coastal Virginia and beyond.”
The details of the proposed relationship are currently being developed, and updates will be shared as they become available. Both institutions are committed to minimizing disruption and ensuring continuity for students, faculty, and staff.
About Sentara Health
Sentara Health, an integrated, not-for-profit health care delivery system, celebrates more than 135 years in pursuit of its mission - "we improve health every day." Sentara is one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, with 34,000 employees, 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, including 10 hospitals with the prestigious Magnet®️ recognition, and the Sentara Health Plans division which serves more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida. Sentara is recognized nationally for clinical quality and safety and is strategically focused on innovation and creating an extraordinary health care experience for our patients and members. Sentara was named a Health Quality Innovator of the Year (2024), was recognized by Forbes as "America’s Best-In-State Employer” (2024), "Best Employer for Veterans" (2022, 2023), and "Best Employer for Women" (2020), and named to IBM Watson Health's "Top 15 Health Systems" (2021, 2018).