EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – University of Southern Indiana is using $18.5 million in state funding to revamp its Health Professions Center.
The funds were first awarded in 2019 by the Indiana General Assembly and the multi-phase renovation project began in May of this year.
The University is planning to use these funds to enhance equipment and expand learning.
USI nursing student, Mikaylah Boulds says she’s excited to get this opportunity.
“It makes me feel very proud because we worked so hard to get into this program and now we have all these new rooms and opportunities,” said Bould.
The current phase includes redesigning the lower level and parts of the first floor of the center.
Other expansions include a new simulation center, where students will have the opportunity to take part in virtual reality patient skills training.
“The variety of different types of spaces to practice in are important,” says Dr. Julie McCullough, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “In our simulation center we cannot just role play and talk with real patients but talk with a simulated patient as well in a virtual reality environment.”
At USI, Nursing, Food and Nutrition, Radiologic/Imaging Sciences, and Dental Hygiene/Assisting programs are offered at the Health Professions Center.
The funding will cover new additions in each program.
A CT scanner, two portable X-ray machines and an ADA-accessible teaching kitchen are just some of the new equipment that will be available to students in the variety of programs offered at USI.
The biggest hope for these new renovations is for students to become more confident working with the equipment that they will be using in the real world.
An additional $49 million in state funding was awarded this year to complete the final phase of the renovation project.
Currently, renovations being made are:
- Clinical Simulation Center
- Food and Nutrition lower-level test kitchen and food science space
- Radiologic and Imaging Sciences suite
- Dental hygiene and dental assisting remodeled Dental Clinic
The final phase is expected to begin in 2024 and will include a complete renovation of office spaces and completion of the first-floor renovations.
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