Health Sciences Department

The Health Sciences Department is pleased to announce a new Exercise Science major beginning Fall 2022! The new Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science program integrates a foundation of developmental health and wellness concepts with rigorous training in exercise science and sports medicine.

The undergraduate Program in Health Sciences prepares students to enter a wide variety of careers in health care and related professions. Examples of careers and graduate programs our students pursue include physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, physician assistant studies, nursing, exercise physiology, nutrition sciences, clinical research, public health, health advocacy, bioethics, health psychology, and others.

Why Drexel?

Dedicated and highly-qualified faculty – Our diverse faculty hold doctoral degrees in several specialty areas including Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy, Statistics, Clinical Research, Embryology, Exercise Science, and more. They have extensive experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate students in the health professions.

Curriculum choices – Our Health Science Program allows students to tailor their undergraduate degree to meet the needs of a variety of health care related graduate programs and careers. Furthermore, the integrated co-op experience provides our students the opportunity to work with health care professionals in the workplace. Qualified students may participate in accelerated dual-degree programs with Physician Assistant Studies and the Physical Therapy programs.

Employment opportunities – Health care professions are the fastest growing job sector for the upcoming decade. There is tremendous demand for trained health care providers at all levels. In the Health Science Program, the multidisciplinary faculty, flexible curriculum, and co-op experience provide students with a competitive edge in the market place and in the pursuit of graduate studies.

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News & Events

04/13/23

The following CNHP Student Story submitted by Vaibhavi Bharadwaj, BS health sciences '23.

Vaibhavi Bharadwaj sits at a table against a dark blue background, smiling at camera When I came to Drexel, one of the first things I did was attend a meeting of the Pre-PA club, an amazing resource for students looking into the Physician Assistant (PA) profession. The passion for healthcare and drive for success I saw in the other pre-PA students motivated me to work hard and stay on the pre-PA path. It even inspired me to apply for the BS/MHS bridge PA program. As a member of the Pre-PA club, I learned so much about the application process, CASPA, and prospective growth of a PA.

As a member of the executive board of the Pre-PA club, I have met hundreds of aspiring PA students and learn from their stories. It was my privilege to be able to give back to the Pre-PA club and alleviate some of the fears students on the pre-PA track had of applying to PA school. As co-president of the Pre-PA club, our executive board implemented several skills labs where we taught club members how to take vital signs, use medical terminology, write SOAP notes, and learned many other skills that are useful as future PAs. I'm grateful to the Pre-PA club for preparing me to enter PA school and giving me the opportunity to prepare other students.

In addition to the Pre-PA Club, I joined the Board of Global Healthcare Engagement from 2020 to 2022 which introduced me to some amazing faculty members who have become my professional and personal mentors. I learned so much about the different global initiatives that CNHP faculty were involved in and how to breach the gap between faculty efforts and student awareness of global health engagement. I was fortunate enough to attend a virtual global seminar during the pandemic, where we saw how nurses around the world were dealing with COVID-19. It was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the global reach of Drexel, as well as how different healthcare looks in different countries. I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to work with different faculty members on their own global reach projects, like discussing and hosting panels on the international impacts of climate change and cultural responses to climate change.

Image of Health Sciences Building, 11 story building in University City Philadelphia with orange facade and many windows In 2021, I joined the CNHP DEI Board. Members on the Board of DEI challenged by perspective of DEI and gave me the tools to explore the ways that I can inspire diversity, equity, and inclusion. This changed how I view diversity and allowed me to start conversations about DEI anywhere. Being a member of the Board of DEI has made me a better and more aware student, cognizant of the ways that I can effect change at the individual and systemic level.

Finally, as a student at CNHP, the Health Sciences Building has absolutely changed the way I approach studying. There is ample space to study, as well as abundant natural light. I am not rushing to catch the Dragon Shuttle, so I am able to stay on campus and study for as long as I need to. I am also a huge fan of the coffee and snacks that are available on every floor!

If I had to choose one thing that I love the most about being in Philadelphia for college, it would have to be getting to experience the integration of history and modern culture. Philly has such a rich history that can be seen and felt everywhere. Modern art and architecture in this city leave space for history in a way that makes us appreciate where we came from. As a student, I love learning new things about this city and finding new places to explore or study at!

02/16/23

Student Alexis Robinson sitting with head propped in hand by a tree

Alexis Robinson understands the value of exploring your academic options. A current student in the BS/DPT Bridge Program for Physical Therapy Option, Robinson is on track to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy in six years. While Robinson shares knew that physical therapy was the right path for her, she advocates for taking time to consider your career path. “Try a little bit of everything to find what fits your professional goals,” Robinson advises.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Robinson began her journey at Drexel in an all-online program, when the university pivoted to remote learning. Now that she is back on campus, Robinson looks forward to exploring the community on campus and meeting with PT program alumni. Most important to Robinson is inclusion in her university and program. She is an advocate for encouraging diverse students to apply to Drexel, and she currently serves as an active member of the Board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CNHP, where she continues her work in this mission.

As for her future career, Robinson says she wants to “be a part of the change.” She is considering pediatric physical therapy in Philadelphia as well as travel physical therapy, which would allow her to work internationally. Robinson is a passionate dancer, and she hopes to incorporate dance and movement into her future physical therapy practice. This desire is informed by her personal experience as the niece of a dance teacher, which inspired Robinson to consider the therapeutic possibilities at the intersection of medicine and dance. In addition to her academic pursuits, Robinson is a fan of science fiction and romance novels.

01/20/23

Veronica Carey, PhD, assistant dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (seated on the left) and Marybeth Gasman, PhD, author of Doing the Right Thing: How Colleges and Universities Can Undo Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring (seated on the right) having a discussion about Gasman's book. On Thursday, January 12th assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion Veronica Carey, PhD, hosted Marybeth Gasman, PhD, author of Doing the Right Thing: How Colleges and Universities Can Undo Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring. The 90-minute event welcomed more than 70 faculty, professional staff and students from across Drexel University. This frank discussion, held in the College of Nursing and Health Professions' new Health Sciences Building, focused on what CNHP can do to support the hiring and retention of faculty of color. Gasman, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and a distinguished professor in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, noted, " the reason why hiring faculty of color is an issue at most academies is because excuses have been made for the hiring of white faculty who may not have been as qualified as candidates of color."

In an interview format, Carey's first question, "why this book now?" Gasman responded, "I was angry enough to know academies should not continue like this." A historian by education, Gasman continued by sharing that she wanted to research how long this practice has been happening. Gasman stated that if an academy wants to do something it gets done. "My initial response to why this book now is also because academies do not want to hire faculty of color and I am tired of them stating we just can't find diverse faculty." She passionately answered Carey's follow-up questions — "why don't academies do more when they know the problem exists?", "what can leaders do to ensure equity in hiring?" and "how did you conduct research for this book?" Then, in and open Q&A, attendees asked Gasman to address concerns stemming from quality vs. pedigree and the excuses given for not doing the right thing.

Attendee Denise Way, DNP, an assistant clinical professor in Undergraduate Nursing, stated, "This was so wonderful to have an opportunity to be in a room where this topic was addressed. So proud to hear peers' comments and suggestions to correct this issue." Board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion student members Alexis Robinson, Charlise Williams, and Seleena Jacob celebrated being at an event targeted to support diverse educational opportunities while they matriculate at CNHP.

Written by Veronica Carey, PhD, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion and associate clinical professor

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