Utah’s Rocky Mountain University seeks to meet healthcare needs – Deseret News
Provo, Utah’s Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) is charting a unique course in healthcare education, focusing intently on meeting the evolving demands of the industry and delivering a strong return on investment for its students. Founded over 25 years ago, the institution now serves approximately 1,700 students pursuing dozens of graduate-level degrees.
A Personal Connection to Patient Care
From the ICU to the President’s Office
RMU’s President, Cameron Martin, brings a distinctly personal perspective to his role. While his background is in higher education administration, not clinical practice, Martin’s own experiences as a patient – including a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage and his wife’s heart attacks – deeply inform his leadership. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the patient’s voice in all aspects of the university’s operations.
A Humble Beginning
The university’s origins are remarkably grounded. RMU was conceived over a quarter-century ago by Richard Nelson, Michael Skurja Jr., and Larry Hall while they sketched out ideas on paper napkins at a Sizzler restaurant. The founders, driven by a vision to improve lives through healthcare training, initially relied on personal resources – pensions and leveraged assets – to launch the institution.
Innovation and Market Responsiveness
Pioneering Programs
Rocky Mountain University distinguished itself early on by offering innovative programs like doctor of physical therapy and embracing online instruction, elements that were novelties in the industry at the time. Today, RMU offers a diverse range of master’s and doctoral degrees, including programs in medical science, speech-language pathology, nursing, optometry, and occupational therapy, alongside almost two dozen certificate options.
Prioritizing Student ROI
As a private, for-profit institution without public funding, RMU operates with a keen awareness of market demands. President Martin highlights the school’s commitment to student success, pointing to a 91% retention rate, an 87% graduation rate, and a 97% employment rate for graduates. Notably, the school reports a zero percent student loan default rate.
RMU maintains a flat tuition rate for students once they enroll, providing cost predictability. The university also prioritizes resources toward the student learning experience, even if it means foregoing lavish facilities.
Building Partnerships and Community Impact
Collaborative Approach
RMU is actively forging partnerships with other institutions, such as Utah Valley University, to create pathways for students to seamlessly transition from undergraduate studies to graduate programs. This collaborative approach aims to accelerate students’ entry into the healthcare workforce.
Community Health Clinics
The Rocky Mountain University Foundation operates six community health clinics, providing accessible healthcare services to the public, regardless of insurance status. These clinics also serve as valuable learning environments for RMU students under faculty supervision.
A Focus on Confident Professionals
A tour of RMU’s facilities reveals a hands-on learning environment where students gain practical skills in areas like physical therapy, optometry, and counseling. The university employs 462 people, with 268 residing in Utah. Faculty members, who do not have tenure, are encouraged to maintain clinical involvement to bring real-world experience into the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of degrees does Rocky Mountain University offer?
Rocky Mountain University offers a variety of master’s degrees in programs such as medical science, speech-language pathology, nursing and occupational therapy. Doctoral degree programs include physical therapy, optometry, occupational therapy, nursing practice/family nurse practitioner and philosophy in health sciences.
How did Rocky Mountain University begin?
Rocky Mountain University was founded more than 25 years ago by Richard Nelson, Michael Skurja Jr., and Larry Hall, who sketched out their initial ideas while at a Sizzler restaurant.
What is RMU’s approach to tuition costs?
Rocky Mountain University opts to hold tuition flat for each student cohort, providing cost predictability. While this approach results in “razor thin” margins, it prioritizes affordability and transparency for students.
As RMU continues to evolve, will its commitment to both rigorous training and patient-centered care shape the future of healthcare education in the Intermountain West?