The boards of trustees for Rowan University and Virtua Health have approved the signing of a letter of intent to expand their organizations’ relationship, further collaborating across education, research and patient care.

A new affiliation agreement will be completed in the next several months to define how the two organizations will work together to establish a sought-after program for preparing the health and wellness workforce of the future, expanding the number and diversity of health professionals educated through Rowan University and Virtua Health.

Virtua Health CEO Dennis Pullin said the agreement will forward and improve health care in the South Jersey region.

“We share an overarching goal of creating an outstanding academic health system that improves the health of New Jersey residents by reimagining the education and training of the state’s next generation of physicians and other health professionals,” he said. “This is an exciting exploration of how we change New Jersey’s role in the future of health care.”

Both organizations plan to commit significant resources to expand educational programs, which train new health care professionals for an evolving future.

The agreement will include plans to provide more clinical experiences for Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine students and to increase residency and fellowship opportunities that will serve South Jersey. In addition, the plans include continued professional and career development for Virtua and Rowan nurses through streamlined access to undergraduate and graduate educational programs.

The enhanced relationship will allow the organizations to expand their roles in research and discovery into new ways to improve health, which will contribute significantly to the regional economy and South Jersey’s reputation as a source of innovation and talent.

Rowan and Virtua will affiliate for clinical education, activities and research, including those related to Rowan’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Nursing & Health Professions, and the new School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences.

Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said the partnership will have great impact.

“Together, we will advance knowledge through research, retain and recruit top talent, train the next generation of health care professionals and create new patient care programs so families can have access to even more world-class medical care here in South Jersey,” he said.