Joannou bill suggests ODU-EVMS merger

RICHMOND

A merger between Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School? A Hampton Roads lawmaker thinks it would be a great idea.

It's unclear, however, how much support he has from either of those institutions.

Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth, has introduced a measure in the House of Delegates asking the State Council of Higher Education to study the idea and report back to the General Assembly before its 2013 session.

Joannou's measure, HJ173, notes that at a time when the federal health-care overhaul bill will create a need for more health professionals than ever, Hampton Roads has no state medical school.

"I'd like to see EVMS and ODU merge," Joannou said in an interview. "In the long run, it would be great for our area. It would help ensure that we have a first-class medical school."

While EVMS gets some state support, it is not, strictly speaking, a state institution like ODU. The level of state funding at the Norfolk medical school has never reached parity with the state medical schools at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia.

Merging EVMS into ODU would achieve that parity, Joannou says.

He said it would be roughly analogous to what occurred in Richmond in 1968, when the Medical College of Virginia joined with Richmond Professional Institute to form VCU.

Joannou has recruited 13 co-sponsors for his legislation, including most of South Hampton Roads' House delegation.

He did not, however, consult with the leadership of either school before he introduced the measure.

ODU President John Broderick had a cautious response when asked about it.

"The General Assembly has the authority to study any issues it deems necessary, and ODU has always accepted guidance from our state legislators," Broderick said by email.

"We appreciate Delegate Joannou's interest in this subject, as it presents an interesting idea that deserves further discussion. ODU and EVMS have cooperated in recent years to offer instruction and conduct research in areas such as medical modeling and simulation and public health, and we recognize the efficiencies that come from the two institutions working together.

"We are certain, however, that such a study will reveal that both ODU and EVMS face significant funding challenges and believe that basic funding inadequacies would have to be addressed by any proposal to bring about a closer relationship between the two institutions."

EVMS President Harry Lester did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Bill Sizemore, 804-697-1560, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com