By Amber Kennedy
On July 1, 1962, Old Dominion College became an independent, four-year institution, marking the beginning of its transformation from an extension school to what would become a Research 1 university with more than 24,000 students.
On the same day 62 years later, the University marked another major transformation: integrating Eastern Virginia Medical School to create Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, the largest and most complex academic health sciences center in the state.
Through the work of hundreds of faculty and staff, and with input from students and community members, the new academic health sciences center represents a bold new vision for the University and beyond.
“The launch is just the beginning of our continued journey that will mark lasting impact, sustained improvement and positive momentum in the fundamental areas of education, research and clinical care throughout our region and the commonwealth,” said ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “As the largest academic health sciences center in the state, we offer more programs, enroll more students and produce more graduates.”
A Transformative Partnership
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU houses Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, the Ellmer School of Nursing, the EVMS School of Health Professions and the Joint School of Public Health, a partnership with Norfolk State University. The academic health sciences center is governed by a Board of Directors established by the General Assembly and will continue to operate from the existing campuses in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Separately, EVMS and ODU have built reputations for world-class research, rigorous academics and quality community care. For 50 years, EVMS held an honored position in American history as one of the only schools of medicine and health professions in the nation to be founded by a grassroots effort.
Since its start as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, ODU has served as an affordable, accessible institution focused on impactful research reflecting the community's needs.
Now as one, the institution is poised to pursue ambitious research, offer accessible medical care and grow the healthcare workforce. Following integration, Old Dominion University now contributes $3.8 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.
Nearly 2,195 EVMS employees, including 430 residents, are now state employees. More than 1,440 EVMS students became Monarchs, gaining new amenities and access to athletic and arts events.
A New Era of Excellence
The journey to integration began in an afternoon ceremony on Dec. 17, 2021, at the Slover Library in downtown Norfolk. Leaders of ODU, EVMS and Sentara Health signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to explore how greater affiliation could improve the medical and economic health of the region. At the time, Hampton Roads represented the largest metropolitan area in the country that didn’t have an integrated, state university-based medical school, said Howard Kern, L.H.D., then-president and chief executive officer of Sentara Health.
The integration was achieved through the leadership and support of Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia’s General Assembly, including The Honorable Sen. L. Louise Lucas and The Honorable Del. Barry D. Knight, L.H.D., who served as chief co-patrons of the enabling legislation. The General Assembly allocated $65 million for an annual base funding increase in the 2024-2026 biennium budget.
“This significant merger in the Hampton Roads community will help tackle the pressing shortages of nurses and doctors. It will also boost our medical programs, attract top talent, and ultimately provide better healthcare services and outcomes to our entire commonwealth,” Governor Youngkin said. “Together, we are committed to a healthier future for all. Welcome to the new era of excellence in healthcare and education. Let’s get to work making Virginia the best and healthiest place to live, work and raise a family.”
A powerful partnership with Sentara Health is a cornerstone of the integration, with a long-term commitment to provide approximately $350 million in dedicated funding over the next decade.
“Sentara is committed to healthcare education and training, and looks forward to what this merger will bring, particularly since this integrated health sciences center will offer the largest portfolio of health sciences degrees in the commonwealth,” said Dennis Matheis, president and CEO of Sentara Health.
Philanthropy Drives Collaboration
On June 7, with great fanfare at a community celebration of the integration, the University announced two major gifts of support totaling $40 million. Dennis and Jan Ellmer committed $20 million to provide scholarships for students pursuing health sciences degrees at ODU. The awards through the Dennis & Jan Ellmer Health Scholars Program and the Dennis & Jan Ellmer Nursing Scholars Program represent a unique mix of both need- and merit-based criteria. Within a decade of operation, the Ellmer Health Scholars Program alone will provide $3.3 million in direct support of 275 scholarship awards in both new and renewable formats.
The academic health sciences center bears the name of the late Macon Brock and his wife, Joan Brock, whose generous gift of $20 million established the Brock Opportunity Scholarship for EVMS at ODU. The scholarship will support promising Virginia students with financial need who are committed to serving underserved populations and plan to practice in Hampton Roads or elsewhere in the state after completing their residency or fellowship.
Meet the Donors: Community Leaders Light The Way for The Future of Healthcare
During the community celebration, Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, highlighted the rich history, community focus and lasting impact of EVMS.
“EVMS was founded in 1973 by the community for the community. Over the course of the last academic year, we have celebrated this half-century milestone and reflected on what our history means and how it shapes our future,” Abuhamad said. “The impact we’ve had on the lives of students, faculty, patients and the people of Hampton Roads is a credit to many of you in this room today and to the visionaries who came before us.”
Abuhamad added, “This integration and our new academic health sciences center represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Hampton Roads and the commonwealth to build something new and historic for the benefit of our children and grandchildren alongside our partners at ODU.”
President Hemphill said, “Today’s event celebrates a long journey, symbolizes a new beginning, and serves as a preview to our promising future, which is a shared future that would not be possible without individuals who made this their passion and purpose for decades.”
“Hampton Roads has waited for this moment. Our citizens deserve this moment. Our people are worthy of this opportunity.”
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
Board of Directors
- Bob Aston
- Rear Adm. Rob Bianchi
- Bruce Bradley (M.B.A ’78), Vice Chair
- Rob Broermann ’80 (M.B.A. ’83)
- Ted Chambers, MD
- George Faatz
- Tim Faulkner
- Mark Fleming, MD
- The Honorable Daun Hester
- The Honorable Chris Jones
- Ashton Lewis ’96
- Keith Newby, MD
- P. Murry Pitts ’80
- The Honorable Blythe Scott
- Bruce Waldholtz, MD, Chair
- President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., ex-officio
- Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Alfred Abuhamad, MD ex-officio
