PROVO, Utah, July 30, 2020 – Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is pleased to announce that the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), regional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, has formally reaffirmed accreditation for the University following the 2020 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness, which included an institutional self-evaluation report and comprehensive peer-evaluation.
 
​The reaffirmation of accreditation is the first since RMUoHP initially received its institutional accreditation by the NWCCU in 2010. The next evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness will be held in the spring of 2027.
 
“We are very pleased to achieve the formal status of reaffirmed accreditation from the NWCCU,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding President and CEO of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “Accreditation recognizes the quality of our evidence-based graduate healthcare education, which is essential to our students as they pursue their healthcare education programs and embark in their careers as healthcare providers in their chosen healthcare specialties.”
 
According to the official letter of reaffirmation, the NWCCU commended RMUoHP for its:
 

• “Profound sense of student centeredness that contributes to the institution’s success. From the moment students inquire about RMUoHP programs systems are in place to engage with them through matriculation, providing resources that they need to be successful, whether as a residential student or a limited residential student. The Evaluation Team was impressed with the breadth of institutional support that continues post-graduation to support them as alumni.
• “High quality support systems to assist the campus community. Specifically, the Evaluation Team commends the staff that has developed the institution’s technology infrastructure and systems, including the user training required for optimal utilization of the systems that are in place, commends the Library and the Writing Center for their timely responses to requests for their help, and to the administration and staff for directing resources into these support systems. The Evaluation team also commends RMUoHP for establishing a robust faculty development system.
• “Campus culture conducive to strong positive morale among all campus constituencies. The Evaluation Team believes that the development of the shared governance model will help to maintain the morale, as the campus grows in complexity into the future.”

 
“This reaffirmation of accreditation is an important and strategic moment for RMUoHP,” said Sandra L. Pennington, Ph.D., RN, Chief of Staff for the Office of the President at RMUoHP, and Accreditation Liaison Officer to NWCCU. “It truly speaks to President Nielsen’s vision to support students, staff, and faculty, and to the mission of the University. It also positions us to continue providing the high-quality education we are known to deliver -- far into the future.”
 
RMUoHP currently enrolls more than 1,000 students and offers nearly 60 advanced healthcare degrees, concentration tracks, certifications, and continuing education programs.
 
“Our current and future students can be assured RMUoHP is offering the most innovative healthcare education available anywhere in the country,” said Mark Horacek, PT, Ph.D., MS, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “Accreditation by NWCCU ensures RMUoHP is meeting the highest standards possible for a university and positions RMUoHP among the upper echelon of great institutions providing advanced healthcare learning.”
 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded in 1998 and located in Provo, Utah, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is an accredited institution by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting commission recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. RMUoHP offers high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented graduate healthcare programs.  www.rm.edu
 
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PROVO, Utah, June 4, 2019 – Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is proud to announce the appointment of Jessica D. Egbert, Ph.D., executive vice president of strategy and engagement at RMUoHP, as a new member of the American Council on Education’s (ACE), Women’s Network Executive Council (WNEC).
 
The ACE Women’s Network Executive Council supports state networks by serving as liaisons and mentors to state chairs and providing leadership for developing or strengthening state planning boards in achievement of ACE’s goal of advancing and supporting women in higher education. Members of WNEC serve as advisers to ACE.
 
“It’s a remarkable opportunity to serve on the ACE Women’s Network Executive Council,” said Egbert. “I am committed to – and enjoy – creating meaningful connections, building networks, sponsoring leadership and skill development, and promoting environments of diverse leadership through which organizations and institutions may thrive. The caliber of leaders with whom I’ll serve opens up another dimension of learning and mentorship. I’m hopeful this role will also be a benefit to our state and the Utah Women in Higher Education Network.” 
 
Egbert received the invitation to serve on WHEN following several years of service as a member of the board for the Utah Women in Higher Education Network, and as chair and past chair of ACE’s Utah chapter serving in support of women in Utah higher education careers.
 
During her WNEC term, Egbert will serve as a liaison and mentor to assigned state chairs to provide leadership to strengthen state networks. Additionally, she will,
 

• Assist state boards in event planning, including serving as a speaker
• Participate in executive committee meetings and other committees
• Provide financial support for the Women’s Leadership Legacy Fund

 
Egbert is actively engaged in many community and leadership roles, including as a current candidate for the Mapleton, Utah city council. She has served or is currently serving as a board member for the Board of Directors of the Utah Women in Higher Education Network, the Board of Governors of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Valley University Community Advisory Council, the BusinessQ Editorial Board, the Provo City Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee, and on the Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Licensing Board of the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Professional Licensure.  Egbert is also a peer evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She is a regional and national presenter on topics such as strategic planning, communication, influence, career development, networking, accreditation, and leadership.
 
In addition to her current role, she has served in several distinguished leadership roles at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, an accredited graduate institution in Provo, Utah,
 
Egbert is the recipient of numerous industry and community awards for excellence in achievement, leadership, and service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology (BYU), a master’s of education degree in instructional technology (AIU), and a doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership (TUI). Egbert has authored works with national associations, private organizations, and her dissertation research on non-cognitive factors within hybrid doctoral education was published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Web-based Learning and Teaching Technologies.
 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded in 1998 and located in Provo, Utah, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP offers graduate healthcare education exclusively and has a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare programs. www.rm.edu.

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PROVO, Utah, Apr. 16, 2019 — The Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies degree program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions was granted Accreditation-Continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Accreditation-Continued status is granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards.
 
“This is another great success for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions to help impact the future of healthcare,” said Mark J. Horacek, PT, PhD, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). “The Physician Assistant program was awarded the status for 10-years, which is the maximum duration for a PA program. The accreditation status is a result of the previous five years of accreditation processes, institutional support, and outstanding program outcomes resulting from countless hours of dedication, planning and execution.”
 
Previously, the PA program held Accreditation-Provisional status. Following an initial site visit in 2014, a mid-cycle site visit in 2016, and a final provisional site visit in 2018, the program was granted Accreditation-Continued status.
 
According to the ARC-PA, “The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.”
 
“Receiving Accreditation-Continued status bolsters confidence in our graduate and future students who will know that the program provides the expected education for entry level Physician Assistants,” said Michael Nelson, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, Department Chair and Master of Physician Assistant Studies program director at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The new status means the medical community has an additional source of Physician Assistant training to help meet the needs of the healthcare provider shortage in Utah and across the nation.”
 
The RMUoHP Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program is designed to educate outstanding clinicians equipped to handle the challenges of practicing medicine in a multifaceted and complex healthcare system. The program emphasizes a holistic patient-centered care approach, educating students not only in the foundational domains of medical knowledge and patient care, but also to:
 

• approach complex health problems through sound clinical reasoning, with sensitivity for the unique situation and concerns of each individual patient,
• leverage the powers of information technology and collaborative networking to make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions at the point-of-care,
• master the art of connecting with patients of diverse characteristics and backgrounds, and
• serve as ethical professionals who stand as examples and leaders in their communities and amongst their colleagues.

 
In addition to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program, in 2019 RMUoHP began offering a new Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program designed to expand PAs' careers focused on skills, contributions, and leadership.
 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded in 1998 and located in Provo, Utah, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP offers graduate healthcare education exclusively and has  a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare programs.   www.rm.edu
 
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PROVO, Utah, Dec. 07, 2018 – Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) celebrated 86 doctoral degree candidates of various healthcare specialties during its Friday commencement ceremonies.
 
Dr. Richard P. Nielsen PT, DHSc, ECS, founding president of RMUoHP, began the proceedings by addressing the students, “John Wesley said, ‘Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can [sic].’ That’s your charge, that’s your responsibility; to go forth and to do good, to build, to serve and to heal”
 
The graduating class receive their advanced degrees during the 20th Anniversary year of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Since its founding in 1998, there have been approximately 2,600 graduates in advanced healthcare specialties.
 
During his commencement speech, Dr. Michael Skurja, Jr., PT, DPT, ECS, co-founder and executive vice president of operations and director of continuing education, said, “I want to share with you three lessons I’ve learned over the years. First, be persistent. You will continue to face challenges. Second, develop communications skills. Communication between you and your patient is crucial. Take the time to listen and communicate clearly with them. Continue to be objective, don’t dwell on the past, seek wise counsel and persevere. Third, be respectful. You will be facing situations where you will be working with colleagues who have years of experience but who do not have a doctoral degree. They may recognize the ‘Dr.’ in front of your name or the initials behind, but that doesn’t mean they are automatically going to respect you. You have to earn their respect.”
 
“Treat your patients as individuals. Remember, integrity and your character are important. You should go the extra mile when necessary. Always practice evidence-based medicine. Avoid treatment fads. Read the literature and stay current.”
 
RMUoHP estimates that graduates currently treat tens-of-thousands of patients throughout the country every day, and over the course of their cumulative careers, will serve millions of people.
 
RMUoHP graduates experience:

• a 97% student satisfaction rate
• more than a 99% job placement rate
• an overall graduation rate of 87%
• a national board pass rate of 98-100%

 
During Saturday’s commencement, RMUoHP doctoral candidates represented the following degree programs:
 

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
• Doctor of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

 
RMUoHP is regionally accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education – the highest achievable in the United States. Additionally, RMUoHP is recognized for the following programmatic accreditation status:
 

• APBTRFE—American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (Accreditation) - First PT neonatology fellowship program in the U.S.
• ARC-PA—The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (Provisional Accreditation)
• ASHA—Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Hearing-Language Pathology (Accreditation Candidacy)
• CAPTE—Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Accreditation)
• CCNE—Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Accreditation)

 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded and located in Provo, Utah, in June 1998, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), is a regionally accredited institution under the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP is an exclusive graduate healthcare education institution with a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare education programs (currently 21 doctoral programs or doctoral tracks and four master’s degree programs in different healthcare specialties) and has a diverse student body and faculty with alumni from Utah and all 50 states. www.rmuohp.edu
 
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​The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Foundation clinic provides pro-bono physical therapy rehab services for under-resourced residents
 
PROVO, Utah, Nov. 12, 2018 – The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) Community Rehabilitation Clinic received a $125,000 donation from The Kahlert Foundation to help fund the operations of the pro-bono rehabilitation clinic, which provides free care to the underserved and underinsured citizens of Utah County.
 
“This donation helps eliminate limitations of our ability to help people,” said Dr. Coleby Clawson, PT, DPT, director of Community Rehabilitation Clinic and assistant faculty member of the RMUoHP Doctor of Physical Therapy program. “It allows us to bring in more therapists, more administrative help, and much needed equipment to help more people. It also allows us to extend our hours of operation to help people who are working to improve their lives and to reintegrate back into society.”
 
The donation was the second made to the clinic by The Kahlert Foundation in two years and was presented this week to Clawson and other clinic and RMUoHP staff and executives by Heather Kahlert, vice president of The Kahlert Foundation.
 
“Healthcare has always been an important part of the mission of our family’s foundation,” said Kahlert. “The RMUoHP Community Rehabilitation Clinic serves the disadvantaged community of Utah County. It helps people who have had surgeries and other medical procedures receive the physical therapy they need to complete their rehabilitation, so they feel better, and so they can return to their lives, families and jobs. We are pleased to support this clinic and feel it is a model for others to follow in helping people with rehabilitation needs.”
 
The Community Rehabilitation Clinic (CRC) is the first of its kind in Utah County. It serves the uninsured and underserved citizens who need physical therapy rehabilitation. Most patients return to levels of normalcy, secure or continue employment and carry on productive and healthy lives and daily activity.
 
The CRC has a highly trained and skilled staff of licensed, qualified physical therapists and physical therapy assistants as well as Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and faculty from RMUoHP, physical therapist volunteers from the community, and pre-physical therapy students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.
 
The Kahlert Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community in the areas of health care, youth programs, education, veteran organizations, and human services.
 
“We are grateful for the support from The Kahlert Foundation and other donors who help fund and operate the CRC,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions who regularly works in the clinic seeing patients in his specialty area of clinical electrophysiology. “Together we can help many people each year receive the physical therapy services they need to heal, improve their health and live active lives.”
 
RMUoHP also operates the Center for Communication Disorders – a second pro-bono clinic for the disadvantaged residents of Utah County providing speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for community members of all ages.
 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded and located in Provo, Utah, in June 1998, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), is a regionally accredited institution under the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP is an exclusive graduate healthcare education institution with a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare education programs and has a diverse student body and faculty with alumni from Utah and all 50 states. www.rmuohp.edu
 
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Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) will hold a ribbon cutting and open house for its new Center for Communications Disorders – a free clinic providing speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for community members of all ages.

• Friday, June 15
• 3:30 -5:30 pm
• 561 E 1860 S, Provo, Utah 84606

 The clinic provides speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing assessment and intervention services. It will also provide summer intensive treatment programs. It is under the direction of Wendy Chase, MA CCC-SLP, RMUoHP assistant professor and director of clinical education for MS SLP.
 
“Many people in our community have no idea they can receive help for communication disorders,” said Chase. “The RMUoHP Center for Communication Disorders provides a valuable service to all people with a variety of different speech disorders that in most cases can be easily identified and treated with professional expertise.”
 
The clinic is staffed by faculty and students in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) program at RMUoHP. Services are available to anyone from the community who may be uninsured, or who do not have adequate insurance or where programs are not available.
 
It is open each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Select appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.
 
“We are so excited to offer the Center for Communications Disorders to our local community,” said Dr. Richard Nielsen, founding president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. “The clinic helps fulfill our vision to advance the quality, delivery and efficacy of healthcare.”
 
About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
 
Founded and located in Provo, Utah, in June 1998, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), is a regionally accredited institution under the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is the highest achievable in the United States. RMUoHP is an exclusive graduate healthcare education institution with a reputation for high-quality, evidence-based, and outcomes-oriented healthcare education programs (currently 21 doctoral programs or doctoral tracks and four master’s degree programs in different healthcare specialties) and has a diverse student body and faculty with alumni from Utah and all 50 states. www.rmuohp.edu
 
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