March 20, 2026
Melissa Weber
If growth shows success, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) is successful. During the 2025-2026 school year, 12 new faculty and 17 new staff are supporting a 35% increase in student enrollment compared to 2020-2021. National recognition is another element of success, and four HRS programs are now ranked among the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report: the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, the online bachelor’s program in Health Sciences and the online AS to BS degree completion program in Radiologic Sciences are all ranked #4, while the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program is ranked #9.
In his recent State of the School address, Interim Director and Vice Dean, Jimmy Onate, PhD, AT, ATC, highlighted recent growth and strategic transformation. Administrators, faculty and staff are committed to the school’s mission of developing transformative leaders in health and rehabilitation sciences, while pursuing strategic priorities across the missions of education, research and service. A focus on building partnerships across campus and around the state is driving educational opportunities and workforce development. Thanks to an environment of discovery and innovation for faculty and learners, the impact of HRS research is both local and global. Modernizing school infrastructure is helping elevate the school’s reputation, while efficiencies support continued advancement.
HRS boasts more than 18,000 living alumni, most of whom remain in Ohio. An alumni mentoring program is expanding to help students learn the importance of networking and get tips for their job search and career. In addition, the HRS Leadership Academy will help students enhance their communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership skills within the vibrant HRS community.
The Division of Medical Laboratory Science is working with Ohio State’s four regional campuses through collaboration with local health systems to provide much-needed medical laboratory professionals in rural communities. In addition to making sure students across the state can access excellent education, students often save money on housing by staying home for their clinical preceptorships.
On campus, the school is working with the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center to expand student learning and develop pathways to support workforce needs and patient care within the new University Hospital inpatient tower, which opened in February 2026.
The HRS Office of Research will host the 5th annual HRS Research Showcase on April 17, celebrating the outstanding research conducted by HRS students and their faculty mentors. The Showcase is an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to engage, share ideas and collaborate. Research studies and programs across the school span health services and quality improvement, immunology and microbiology, musculoskeletal function and injury biomechanics, neurologic function and rehabilitation, nutrition and health promotion, health across the lifespan, and teaching and learning.
Dr. Onate is looking forward to welcoming alumni to campus for Ohio State’s Homecoming Weekend, October 9 and 10, 2026. HRS will celebrate its 60th anniversary! Many alumni recall 2012, when the School of Allied Medical Professions became the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in order to better reflect the expanding undergraduate and doctorate degrees in health and rehabilitation sciences. The successful growth of those programs shows the timeliness of that change. Alumni are encouraged to check for event updates and make plans to visit Columbus in October.