Health & Wellness Facilities & Labs
Industry-Responsive Facilities
The College of Health & Wellness is housed in five academic buildings, all centered in Downcity unless otherwise noted: the Academic Center, the Center for Physician Assistant Studies, the Friedman Center (Harborside), the John J. Bowen Center for Science & Innovation and Johnson Hall.
Academic Center
291 Westminster Street, Providence
The Academic Center houses classrooms and labs for the Occupational Therapy and Dietetics & Nutrition programs.
- Occupational Therapy Labs: From 3D printers to create custom splints and adaptive equipment for patients to helping to display how visual, cognitive and motor impairments affect driving ability, the OT labs offer hands-on training in simulated environments through three primary spaces:
- Occupations Lab: Set up like a fully furnished apartment to help people recover from injuries or manage physical disabilities , this space lets students practice activities of daily living with clients via a smart hospital bed area, high-tech visual assessment gear and simulators, and vestibular/balance testing tools.
- Action Lab: This ergonomically structured space, designed for active intervention, is where students train on how to safely transfer and move clients with mobility impairments. Equipment includes a driving simulator for assessment and intervention of people training to drive with a disability, as well as physical agent modalities such as ultrasound and fluidotherapy to assist with the healing process.
- Pediatrics Sensory Lab: Tailored for children and designed to mirror a therapy room in a clinic or school, this lab features suspended swing equipment, a rock wall, a ball pit and sensory-focused tools to help make therapy feel like play.
Center for Physician Assistant Studies
35 Claverick Street, Providence
This 18,000-square-foot facility includes a clinical practice center that mimics an emergency room, anatomy labs, lecture halls with global teleconferencing capabilities, active learning classrooms, conference rooms, student lounges and study areas.
John J. Bowen Center for Science & Innovation
75 Chestnut Street, Providence
Contains life science laboratories and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) labs.
Physical Therapy Labs incorporate two labs:
- Neurologic/Medically Complex Lab: Here, DPT students receive supervised practice in patient handling, balance assessment and stability tracking, performing neurological examinations. The lab features eight high/low mat tables, LiteGait partial weight-bearing devices and assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes.
- Musculoskeletal Lab: Here, students learn to palpate and to perform manual muscle testing, goniometry and practice joint mobilization and manipulation. The lab includes 24 high/low plinth tables, mechanical traction stations, diagnostic ultrasound units and large monitors for viewing live demonstrations.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Labs include:
- Simulation Lab: Replicating acute care and critical care hospital scenarios, the lab includes simulated hospital rooms, intensive care units, emergency rooms, and labor & delivery rooms equipped with lifelike patient manikins on whom students can practice navigating hospital equipment and managing lines, leads, and tubes while providing physical therapy.
- Human Performance & Assessment Lab: Equipped with advanced physiological and testing instruments including Olympic lifting platforms, BOD POD® body composition analysis, Olympic lifting platforms, MEGA power racks, Functional Movement Screen devices, a Biodex isokinetic testing device and more.
- Anatomy & Palpation Lab: Lets DPT students combine direct human cadaveric study with interactive peer-to-peer surface palpation.
- Pediatric Lab : Provides access to pediatric-specific therapeutic tools, including suspended equipment and rock-climbing walls, for balance and motor skill development in children and adolescents.
Encompassing all life sciences, one comprehensive lab allows JWU students and faculty to have hands-on clinical practice and conduct cutting-edge research on health, fitness and nutrition:
- Exercise Science & Human Performance Lab: Designed to help athletes develop strength, speed, flexibility, balance and power, this combined lab focuses on metabolic testing and clinical health metrics using electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, BOD POD® body composition analyzers, wearable metabolic technology and treadmills equipped with overhang suspension systems. Students also explore strength development and biomechanics through lifting platforms, Biodex isokinetic testers, Functional Movement Screen Devices and more.
Johnson Hall
59 Chestnut Street, Providence
Home to JWU’s accelerated nursing (ABSN) program, College of Health & Wellness classrooms and faculty offices.
- Nursing Simulation Lab: Mimicking an active hospital and clinic setting, this lab features high-fidelity manikins — including adult, obstetrics, infant and pediatric simulated patients — to let students practice general and specialized care training throughout patients’ life cycles; specialty suites with a control room, large essential competencies space and a medication room; and debriefing rooms with projection screens for observing and reviewing interactions.
Friedman Center
321 Harborside Boulevard, Providence (Harborside Campus)
Houses classrooms, the library, School of Education, Energy Conservation Office and much more.
- Counseling Lab: Containing a two-way mirror for observation, this training ground for future counselors and dietitians allows students to hold practice sessions with classmates and volunteer clients on topics ranging from mental and addition therapy and crisis intervention to dietary advising.
Visit JWU Providence
There’s so much to do (and see) at JWU! Whether you are exploring the Harborside or Downcity campus, you will get an up-close look at what makes JWU great. Explore where you’ll live, learn and enjoy all campus has to offer. We can’t wait to show you JWU!