The College of Health Professions (CHP) recently named Dr. Jordan Schweidenback its inaugural associate dean for clinical and strategic partnerships, a new role created to expand real-world opportunities for students through stronger healthcare partnerships.
Source: Contributed by Dr. Jordan Schweidenback, Sacred Heart University
Schweidenback brings experience as a clinician, healthcare administrator and academic leader. He previously served as program director for the Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of New Haven (UNH), where he led a team of 16 faculty members and developed partnerships that gave students hands-on experience through immersion trips, consulting projects and professional development opportunities.
“My experiences really span three areas. First, I was a clinician, and then I was a healthcare administrator, and then I made my way into academics,” said Schweidenback.
Before entering higher education, he worked at Yale New Haven Health System and Bristol Health overseeing perioperative services and medical group operations across multiple locations. Earlier in his career, he worked as a nuclear medicine and CT technologist, and managed a nuclear medicine department.
At UNH, Schweidenback built partnerships with organizations including Gaylord Specialty Healthcare and Bristol Health. Students collaborated on projects such as expanding services for spinal cord injury patients and studying why patients miss medical appointments, exploring factors like transportation and childcare, often referred to as social determinants of health.
He also partnered with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, which provided mentorship, conference access, and sponsored student memberships. Through the partnership, students were able to connect with financial professionals, gain professional development opportunities, and access scholarships available to members.
Schweidenback said forming partnerships begins by identifying shared needs between students and healthcare organizations, and then creating agreements that benefit both sides. These collaborations can include clinical placements, guest lectures, mentorship and research opportunities.
“Bringing those real world experiences helps to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and practice,” said Schweidenback.
He described this as a “practitioner academic model” that connects textbook learning to real industry challenges and helps students develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
According to CHP Dean Dr. Karl E. Minges, several members of the College of Health Professions contributed to the hiring process during a two-month search. The college already has more than 300 clinical partnerships across Connecticut and surrounding states, but many have historically been developed independently by individual programs.
“Having Jordan here in this position will be able to bridge the gap and link student academics with clinicals and also with philanthropy on the back end,” said Minges.
Strategic partnerships may also support sponsorships that help offset tuition costs for students, according to Minges.
“I am excited for the endless possibilities and the future opportunities, as this will allow students to become well-prepared professionals ready to make an impact in their fields,” said junior health science major Matt Dworkowitz.
Dworkowitz hopes new collaborations will provide more clinical exposure and opportunities to work alongside professionals in real-world settings.
“Having a dean as motivated as Dr. Schweidenback to help foster these partnerships will make a world of difference, creating more streamlined access to internships and providing students with clearer pathways to meaningful involvement,” said Dworkowitz.
As the first person in the role, Schweidenback hopes to strengthen collaboration across the college and the healthcare community. According to Schweidenback, his goal is to ensure students graduate prepared to enter the workforce with the skills, experience and professional connections they need to succeed.
