Seton Hall, Hackensack University Health Network To Open Joint Medical School

NUTLEY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Seton Hall University and the parent company of Hackensack University Medical Center plan to form a four-year private medical school.

The announcement was made Thursday at the former Nutley campus of Swiss medical products firm Roche Holding that closed in 2013. The school would be based there and in Clifton.

Hackensack University Health Network said in a release that the school would boost the region's economy and curb a critical physician shortage. About 2,000 jobs were lost when the previous biomedical campus closed, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.

Seton Hall plans to integrate its nursing and allied health programs with the new school, which will use Hackensack's health care facilities for training.

The deal needs approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

State Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said such joint ventures on one campus help students in different medical areas to work as a team.

"So that they know how to more effectively and efficiently operate once they get into the field," she told Putney.

Seton Hall President Gabriel Esteban said officials hope the first class will start within three years.

"I think it's great for the state of New Jersey," he said.

The state has four public medical schools. Two are affiliated with Rutgers University and two are aligned with Rowan University.

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