Local leaders and students gathered at Gulf Coast State College on Feb. 26 for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the college’s upcoming Nursing and Simulation Center.
“Today marks an important step forward for Gulf Coast State College and for the future of health care in our region,” Glen McDonald, president of Gulf Coast State College, said in a press release. “This investment strengthens our college, supports our local healthcare partners, and helps ensure our community has the skilled professionals it needs.”
The new building, at over 31,000 square feet, will house two 11-bed clinical skills labs, two 80-seat classrooms, a four-bed hospital suite, a six-bed multi-purpose simulation lab, and a student success lab.
“The new center is projected to produce over 900 nurses, close to 300 CNAs, over 60 Registered Nurse Surgical First Assistants, and over 200 combined Emergency Professionals (EMTs, paramedics, and respiratory care professionals),” Keri Matheus, nursing division chair, said in the press release. “We will provide students with advanced training who will achieve more than 2,500 healthcare-related certifications, creating the region’s most skilled and qualified workforce.”
For more information about Gulf Coast State College, visit https://www.gulfcoast.edu/index.html
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Gulf Coast State College breaks ground on health education building
Reporting by Tyler Orsburn, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
