Valparaiso University and University of Chicago Medicine have teamed up to train future health care professionals.

The partnership provides students in Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions priority placement for training opportunities at UChicago Medicine’s new facility in Crown Point.

The Crown Point facility will have an emergency department and an inpatient unit. It will offer imaging and outpatient surgery, as well as medical offices and a cancer center. It is set to open in spring 2024.

“This will allow us to continue with the high level, quality, education this college has been providing for more than 50 years,” said Karen Allen, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, in a press release. “In addition, it will allow us to increase the number of health care professionals for the industry.”

Students can complete their required clinical, practicum, internship and fieldwork at UChicago Medicine’s new facility. The joint program gives students in the Region the opportunity for vital, practical experiences. All students in Valparaiso’s College of Nursing programs are eligible. Some may also do rotations at the University of Chicago’s campus in Hyde Park.

“Training the next generation of clinicians is a critical part of our mission as an academic health system, and I’m absolutely thrilled to extend our educational partnerships to include students from Valparaiso University’s School of Nursing and Health Professions,” said Emily Chase, UChicago Medicine’s chief nursing officer. “Hands-on training programs like this are critical components of the work to grow the pipeline of nurses, physician assistants, occupational therapists and so many other health care jobs.”

News of the partnership comes shortly after U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan visited Valparaiso University. Congressman Mrvan's efforts ensured a $1 million update to the College of Nursing’s Simulation and Experiential Learning Centers.