The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine honored its past Wednesday and looked to its future.
The medical school in Scranton held its first inaugural Geisinger Commonwealth Day, officially installing Julie Byerly as the school’s new president and dean. After her installation, Byerley announced a new school under Geisinger, the college of health sciences.
“We will be ... bringing together our education and research work under an umbrella for the college and advancing that work in a way that takes advantage of the amazing clinical machine of Geisinger and the patients and populations that we together serve," Byerley said.
Byerley is also the medical college’s executive vice president and chief academic officer. She took over for Dr. Steven Scheinman on Jan. 1. Before beginning in the position, Byerley had a lengthy career at the University of North Carolina.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine board chair Virginia McGregor joined Geisinger President and CEO Dr. Jeawon Rhu to install Byerley into the position.
"It's a special day because what the medical school has accomplished over the last 15 years has been spectacular," said Rhu. "The impact that it has had on health care in this community ... it's every bit lived up to that vision ... and we know that it's going to continue to do so."
The College of Health Sciences will serve as the “umbrella” institution uniting Geisinger’s School of Medicine, School of Nursing and School of Graduate Education under a single entity, according to the college. The current programs will stay in their current locations.
For example, Geisinger’s diploma-based nursing program in Lewistown will now fall under the school of Health Sciences and grant future nurses an associates degree.
Byerley says the school was built by the community for the community. Many of those members were in attendance Wednesday.
"It has remained a system dedicated to making better health easier for the populations that we serve," she said.
They strive to be what she says is a modern and innovative academic health system.
"Our College of Health Sciences will be that,” Byerley said.
