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Reminder Assistant Editor SPRINGFIELD A major university may be on the horizon for downtown Springfield. Rep. Sean Curran recently released a bill that would create a state commission to assess the feasibility of establishing a school of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the City of Homes. "Due to the growing nationwide shortages of pharmacists, physician assistants, biomedical researchers, and their related fields, the special commission shall address ... studying all aspects of constructing, operating, and staffing said college to maintain a Masters and PharmD programs, as well as a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies," the bill stated. There are a number of obstacles to overcome before a life science industry can be developed in Springfield, however. These obstacles include the lack of a skilled workforce with science, pharmaceutical and medical backgrounds, a lack of lab space and a lack of life science companies in the Springfield area. "The problem with Western Massachusetts is that there is no presence of a major university," Curran said. "Gov. Patrick's Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Daniel O'Connell, said UMass is doing a great job but it needs to play a stronger role. And we need to increase the life science industry in Springfield." Curran added that in addition to the degrees mentioned above programs in dentistry and radiology may also be offered if the study finds the school to be a feasible project. "It would be a great idea to have another pharmacy school in New England," he said. There are currently six schools offering pharmacy masters programs in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine. The job outlook for a pharmacist is rosy because of the increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, particularly from the growing elderly population, according to Curran's release. The same growth is estimated for physician assistants through the year 2014. On average, pharmacists earn an annual income of $85,000; physician assistants earn $81,000. A university in Springfield would not only bring employment opportunities. It would bring in an estimated 400 to 500 graduate students. "Those students would need a place to live and they would bring a vibrance to downtown Springfield," Curran stated. "They would establish a foundation for a workforce. "Science and technology are playing new roles in the 21st century and Springfield can't be left out of the equation," he added. The proposed study will last a duration of 12 months, although Curran hopes to have all the information gathered sooner. "Gov. Patrick has a $2 billion higher education bond bill and a $1 billion life science economic package for the next 10 years," Curran said. "This proposal comes at a perfect time. The life science package would be a direct benefit to the school." The bill for the study has to be approved by the House of Representatives before it can move forward, however. "We need the collective energy of political and business leaders for this proposal to work," Curran said. |
