SCU Provost Dr. Tamara Rozhon Joins National Academies’ Forum to Shape the Future of Health Professions Education

When health care and higher education are both in flux, the most valuable rooms are the ones where stakeholders solve problems together. Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Provost Dr. Tamara Rozhon, EdD, has just joined one of those rooms: the Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. We spoke with Dr. Rozhon about what her new role means for SCU, how Whole Health is moving into the mainstream, and the practical ways a “nimble” university prepares tomorrow’s practitioners.

A Seat at the Table

Q: You’ve said the Forum gives SCU “a seat at the table” in the national conversation. Why is that participation so important right now—both for SCU and for higher education more broadly?

Dr. Rozhon: What’s powerful about the Global Forum is that it brings together people who can actually influence the future of health professions education—accreditors, associations, universities, health systems, employers, and policymakers in one room. Having SCU at that table means integrative Whole Health is part of the national conversation. It lets us contribute our perspective—whole-person rather than disease-centered, interprofessional teams that include integrative health—and learn where the field is headed, so our programs stay relevant.

Redefining Nimbleness

Q: You spoke at the Fall meeting about the need for health professions education to be nimble. What does nimbleness look like in practice, and how has SCU embodied it?

Dr. Rozhon: Nimble doesn’t mean chasing trends. It means anticipating what’s changing, why it matters, and moving quickly enough to stay relevant. At SCU, that shows up in new programs in emerging areas like genetic counseling; in accelerated, online, and blended designs; and in how our faculty serve nationally and globally—through organizations like NCCIH, IPEC, APHA, and the WHO. We also keep rethinking systems and processes to remove friction for students and faculty. It takes courage to question long-held assumptions and build for today’s learners.

Whole Health and the Future of Care

Q: Whole Health is central to SCU’s identity. How does your Forum participation help elevate Whole Health and integrative approaches nationally?

Dr. Rozhon: Integrative Whole Health is the foundation for everything we do. Being part of the Forum lets me bring that lens into a space often dominated by traditional medical models. People recognize the current system isn’t working. Since the National Academies’ report on Whole Health in 2023, interest in SCU’s model has grown—physicians from traditional institutions ask how we do what we do. The Forum amplifies those conversations about access, outcomes, and affordability.

Reimagining Education for a Changing Workforce

Q: You’ve argued for a student-centered redesign of curricula and pathways. What innovations will most shape the next generation of professionals?

Dr. Rozhon: One of our biggest problems is content bloat. We keep adding material without taking anything out, and we end up teaching everything “just in case.” Some requirements are fixed by licensing or accreditation, but not all. No one can master everything before graduation—especially as science and technology evolve so fast. Yes, students need clinical skills and core knowledge. They also need to learn how to find, evaluate, and apply new knowledge at the moment of need. That’s how we produce adaptable practitioners.

Listening, Leading, and Looking Ahead

Q: You’re launching the Provost Advisory Council this fall. How will that initiative—and your Forum seat—help SCU anticipate and lead change?

Dr. Rozhon: The Council keeps me close to what’s working and what needs to change, even as we grow. I’m grateful to the faculty and staff who volunteered. The mindset is the same as the Forum: listen, learn, act. Being in both spaces helps me connect national priorities to campus realities and ensure SCU continues to lead with relevance and purpose.

About Dr. Tamara Rozhon

Dr. Tamara Rozhon serves as Provost of Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), providing strategic leadership across academic affairs, marketing, admissions, student and alumni engagement, and university operations. A seasoned higher-education executive with more than 30 years of experience, she has led major system-building initiatives, program expansions, accreditation processes, and international partnerships across multi-site institutions.

Dr. Rozhon holds an EdD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in Adult Education from National-Louis University, and a BA in Journalism (cum laude) from Northern Illinois University. Known for her collaborative, mission-driven approach, she is deeply committed to academic excellence, student success, and expanding access to high-quality, innovative education.