John Vitale
Dean, Westbrook College of Health Professions

Message from the dean

Welcome to the Westbrook College of Health Professions

The Westbrook College of Health Professions prepares its graduates to practice, lead and excel in today’s evolving health care environment. The college, comprised of undergraduate and graduate programming on three campuses is home to 14 health professions programs. The faculty and professional staff of the college are dedicated to relationship-focused and student-centered approaches to learning.

The philosophy of the college is grounded in interprofessional education and collaborative practice, and all majors and programs are committed to this endeavor. It is well understood that the best health outcomes are achieved when care is well coordinated by a team of professionals. Students in the college participate in numerous curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular interprofessional activities including experiential learning, clinical education, skills lab, gross anatomy lab, simulation activities, service learning, and more.

This allows students to gain competence in their discipline of choice but also proficiency in collaborative practice. 91AV graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce and practice as a member of a health care team.

The college is additionally committed to civic responsibility among and toward some of society’s most vulnerable communities. Together, 91AV’s faculty and students engage in meaningful service learning contributing to the promotion of healthier communities while deepening their understanding of the societal concerns that contribute to health disparities.

Our faculty are dedicated educators, scholars, and expert practitioners in their chosen fields. They are passionate about their disciplines, infusing excitement and generating curiosity and real-world learning into the classroom, laboratory, clinic, and community-based experiences. The faculty are well engaged in funded research and programs, often providing students opportunities to participate in robust scholarship.

Our facilities include a state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center opened in 2017, along with a Motion Analysis Laboratory, a Community Therapy Clinic, and numerous dedicated labs and workspaces for the various programs. Our modern Dental Hygiene Clinic has served the region for over 50 years, providing care to 5,000 patients annually.

According to the Bureau of Labor, health care roles are among the fastest growing industries in the United States economy. This is an exciting time to explore the educational opportunities offered in health care. I encourage you to visit our beautiful Biddeford and Portland campuses.

Best Regards,
John E. Vitale
Dean, Westbrook College of Health Professions
91AV
716 Stevens Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103