NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are joining forces in an effort to grow local medical talent where there’s a great public need.

Together EVMS and ODU are now the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU.

The merger creates the largest health sciences program in the Commonwealth.

Come July 1, the integration will develop a larger pipeline for healthcare professionals in Hampton Roads by attracting and retaining homegrown talent and doubling the number of residency slots.

“All you’ve heard today is to better the community, better health care in the region,” said EVMS President Alfred Abuhamad, “so this is why there’s tremendous excitement on campus with EVMS about coming together with ODU.”

A 10-year agreement with ODU, EVMS and Sentara provides $350 million in total support for the new academic health sciences center. The merger expands healthcare capabilities while reducing disparities in Hampton Roads.

A $20 million endowment from the Ellmer family and a $20 million endowment from the Brock family will provide scholarships for local students who want to go into health sciences but are held back by financial hardship. ODU’s School of Nursing and College of Health Sciences were renamed the Ellmer School of Nursing and Ellmer College of Health Sciences.

“Those scholarships are encouraging students to stay and be here,” said ODU President Brian Hemphill. “Their residencies, our students that are going into nursing and physical therapy, we want them here.”

The integrated Virginia Health Sciences program will collectively serve 5,000 students.