Preparing students to be health care leaders
The University of New England's Westbrook College of Health Professions prepares students to be leaders in their health care fields.
UNE is one of a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health education mission including medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing and an array of allied health professions. The Westbrook College of Health Professions encompasses Applied Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia, Nutrition, Occupational Studies, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, and Social Work.
Guided by faculty on the cutting edge of their disciplines, our students participate in clinical simulations, service learning activities, clinical rotations and other experiences that enable them to transition smoothly into the workforce upon graduation.
Our interprofessional education initiatives prepare future health care professionals to practice comprehensive and collaborative team-based care. Students from across our different health professions programs work beside one another as they treat patients, participate in simulations and conduct research. As a result, each student comes to better appreciate the roles played by the other members of the health care team.
Our Portland Campus for the Health Sciences is just minutes from Maine's leading hospitals and clinics, providing rich opportunities for students to carry the knowledge they gain on campus into the field. People from across Northern New England travel to Portland for medical services, and often their needs are met by UNE students.
Ali Ross '20
Why UNE
I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I changed majors a few times in my undergrad. It was always patient-oriented. First it was nursing, then physician assistant (PA), and then I picked up a psychology minor. Still, I didn’t know what my direction was.
Then there was a moment when I discovered what occupational therapy was. I was told that it’s client-centered and that you get to help people be their best selves in their own ways. I was sold. That’s exactly what I want to do. I want to be able to help people in their unique ways to be their best selves because not every person is the same — we’re not all robots.
I’m originally from New Jersey, but UNE drew me in initially because Maine is so beautiful. I was looking around at schools in New England, and I came to UNE to interview. I got to meet so many great people that day. I decided immediately that if I got accepted, I would come to UNE. I had no question about it. The people at UNE are the kindest people. I could tell right away that it was a place I wanted to be. The people that I interviewed with showed genuine interest in me and the other interviewees. I knew that they cared about why I was interested in coming here and would be invested in my learning.
Hands-on Learning
I like working with all populations of people from kids to older adults. We’re in our pediatric semester right now, and I am enjoying working with kids. I’m not exactly sure what I’ll do in the future. We still have our fieldwork ahead of us. Right now, I’m drawn to the rehabilitation and older adult population. I think that’s what I want to do.
I like working with older adults because it’s similar to the work that I am used to as an EMT. It’s fast-paced, and it’s more structured than working with kids. All of the older adults that I’ve worked with carry so many stories. They each have years of wisdom, experience, and life. I’m drawn to that because in those scenarios I’m not just going into a room and manipulating an arm. Instead, I’m working with the person, their history, and their story. I learn a lot from them. That’s what I like about the older adult population.
The people at UNE are the kindest people. I could tell right away that it was a place I wanted to be.
The UNE Portland Campus for the Health Sciences
For decades, UNE’s Portland Campus has been home to many of the University’s health professions programs including PA, PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and more. In 2025, UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will move from the Biddeford Campus into the new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in Portland. By bringing our health professions programs together into one interprofessional learning community, we will establish UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences as the center of health care education in Northern New England.
Learn about exciting changes on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences
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NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of New England does not discriminate in admissions or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disabling conditions in violation of federal or state civil rights laws of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.