Why a School of Allied Health?

The formation of a school of allied health provides benefits to its sponsoring institution and to the individual programs contained within that school. These benefits include an organized structure, identity within the institution, economic incentives, increased visibility in the community, a setting and philosophy for interdisciplinary activities, opportunities for student minorities and the disadvantaged, and an enhanced responsiveness to health care personnel shortages. Eleven of 13 deans of schools of allied health representing the original institutional members of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions responded to a questionnaire seeking information on their schools. Cumulative data from these 11 universities showed that in 28 years, there was an increase in the number of individual programs from 49 to 146, and an eightfold increase in student numbers. There were increases in the number of faculty holding doctorates, as well as in faculty scholarship and grantsmanship. The deans also listed their personal accomplishments as administrators. The two most cited responses were strengthening of the school's finances and supporting of faculty quality, growth, and development.