Augusta University's College of Allied Health Sciences' plan to provide excellence and leadership
By Kayla Portillo | Staff Writer
Augusta University’s College of Allied Health Sciences’ states in its strategic plan that it is its mission is to “provide excellence and leadership” in all aspects of allied health sciences. It strives to educate and train students to become the future health care professionals they desire.
For alumna and Medical Technologist Kyzha Townes, who earned her master’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences at CAHS, it did just that, and she urges anybody interested in becoming a health care professional to apply to Augusta University.
“I enjoyed my time as a student at Augusta University and was given the opportunity to help others through clinical opportunities across Georgia,” she said. “If you want to be anything from a therapist, dentist, or clinical lab scientist like me, just apply now. I have my dream profession because the College of Allied Health Sciences guided me along the way.”
According to the Dean of Allied Health Sciences Lester Pretlow, they currently offer 15 academic degree programs and two certification programs.
“In addition to the 15 academic programs, we are in the process of adding one more academic program this year,” he said. “We have already received the approval from President Keel, and we are now working on the accreditation of the program.”
Following the COVID-19 shutdown, the academic administration team put together a set of goals that they believe will optimize their potential in educating allied health professionals.
The six goals are to increase student enrollment, increase student licensure exam first-time pass rates, increase number of applicants, recruit nationally and internationally recognized scholars, create faculty development and leadership models to foster innovation and integrate research activities into the teaching mission.
“Our vision is to be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in applied health sciences education, research, innovation and service,” said Pretlow. “In addition, we want our college to reflect the diversity within our community and to promote cultural competency.”
The College of Allied Health Sciences is located at 987 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta, GA, 30912. They can be contacted through email at cahs@augusta.edu and by phone at 702-721-2621.
Contact Kayla Portillo at kportillo@augusta.edu
