PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria are strengthening their partnership through a new agreement aimed at expanding educational opportunities, research and workforce development in Central Illinois.
The institutions announced Tuesday they have signed an affiliation agreement establishing a framework for future collaboration involving students, faculty and the Peoria community.
The agreement builds on an existing relationship that includes an Early Assurance Program, which provides qualified Bradley students with an enhanced pathway to medical education at the College of Medicine Peoria.
Bradley and the medical school also work together through the Greater Peoria Regional Healthcare Education Consortium.
Bradley Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Dan Moon says the agreement will create additional opportunities for students to gain experience and build professional connections locally.
Moon says those opportunities could encourage more graduates to begin their careers and remain in the Peoria area.
Potential areas of collaboration include expanded healthcare workforce programs, graduate student research, specialized academic offerings and the sharing of faculty expertise and resources.
The institutions could also pursue joint research grants, industry partnerships and interdisciplinary projects.
Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, regional dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, says the partnership could help advance medical research, improve patient care and strengthen the pipeline of future healthcare professionals.
The agreement does not announce specific new programs or funding commitments. Instead, leaders from both institutions will work to identify opportunities for collaboration as the partnership develops.
