June 16, 2016
Source/Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson's Institute for Emerging Health Professions is located inside the Scott Building at 1020 Walnut Street.
Thomas Jefferson University has been awarded a $2 million gift from philanthropist Stephen Korman to construct a new Center for Community Engagement in the Institute of Emerging Health Professions.
Korman, who heads the legacy real estate giant Korman Communities, provided the gift to encourage the development of programs that transform the way communities members engage with healthcare providers and vice versa.
“I am honored to partner with Jefferson on its mission to provide educational and career opportunities as well as improved access to care for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Korman, who has offered the university regular advice and contributed nearly $3 million to various Jefferson initiatives.
Charles V. Pollack Jr., director of the Institute of Emerging Health Professions, explained how the Steven H. Korman Center for Community Engagement will be dedicated to educational innovation.
“At Jefferson, we pride ourselves on being education entrepreneurs who emphasize a culture of care with caring,” Pollack said. “The Korman Center will allow us to educate new caregivers through the development of programs like the Community Health Worker Certificate, which will train high school graduates and GED holders to serve as a liaison between health and social services to facilitate access to the community’s vital health information and care.”
Other programs will include the Patient Navigator Certificate and Community-Based Nutritional Counselor Certificate.
“Time and again, Steve Korman has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to innovation, to the community, to the disadvantaged among us and to Jefferson,” said Stephen K. Klasko, President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. “This forward-thinking philanthropic investment will help us move health care delivery from the hospital to where it is needed most—the community.”
