Cornell's School of Hotel Administration (SHA) and Sloan Program in Health Administration in the College of Human Ecology have entered into a collaboration with Health Care REIT Inc. -- the company will sponsor a two-credit senior living seminar this fall, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Nov. 4-5.

The course -- Planning and Operations of Senior Living and Related Facilities (HADM 5030, PAM 5500) -- focuses on essential operations and management issues in the senior care industry. It will highlight the benefits associated with incorporating hospitality into the rapidly growing fields of senior housing, continuing-care retirement communities and assisted-living facilities.

The course was launched last fall with the financial support of John Rijos, Hotel '75, president of Brookdale Senior Living. This fall, it is supported by Health Care REIT, a real estate investment trust headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, that invests across the full spectrum of senior housing and health care real estate.

Rijos will teach the course the first weekend. Stephanie Anderson, chief acquisitions officer for senior housing at Health Care REIT, and Christine Contardi Stone, vice president for corporate development at Health Care REIT, will be featured speakers during the second weekend. Anderson also will speak during the Nov. 3-4 Hospitality and Healthcare Roundtable, presented by the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), a unit of SHA.

"We are excited to have the support of Health Care REIT as we expand health care and hospitality education and research," said Steven A. Carvell, associate dean for academic affairs at SHA. "This course is one of several initiatives that Cornell is spearheading to bridge the gap between the two industries and to create opportunities for students to learn about possible career paths."

In addition to the course sponsorship, the collaboration will enhance research efforts and facilitate additional recruiting opportunities at Cornell. The CHR will plan a future research project based on industry data supplied by Health Care REIT. After donating the data, Health Care REIT will be enrolled as a "corporate friend" of the CHR. The company will also have several exclusive opportunities to meet with and recruit Cornell students.