BLUEFIELD, W. Va. -What was once the Bluefield Regional Medical Center is being turned into a state-of-the-art facility with the goal of creating the next generation of medical professionals. “Phase One” of the project has already been completed, but there is still more planned, with “Phase Two” bringing three new programs to the center: Radiological Technology, Respiratory, and Sonogram.
“We need highly qualified nursing or medical professionals to help make sure that our people… in our region and across this country… that we meet their medical needs. And we know that nurses and these radiological techs and these are the first line of defense towards quality of health,” says says Darrin Martin, interim president of Bluefield State University.
Phase Two is the result of a more than $7 million healthcare development grant given to university that was secured last month by West Virginia Senator Shelly Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia.
Senator Capito toured the facility to see some of the planned additions, such as more dorms, classrooms, and an upcoming interactive simulation room where future medical professionals can test their knowledge. Senator Capito praised the local leaders who are working to improve both education and the health of Bluefield and surrounding area.
“Bluefield State University, under the leadership of President Martin and others and the board and local leaders is really transforming an amazing building into a great new school for nursing for all the Allied Health professions. They are growing professions. We have great need across the country, particularly in West Virginia…” says Senator Capito.
Interim President Martin says without this grant, these upgrades wouldn’t be possible, adding that through this funding, they can create the best program in the state.
Classes are planned to start in the Medical Education Center in January of next year.
Interim President Martin also stressed the importance of the new dorm rooms planned at the facility, saying, currently, 230 of their 247 beds have been filled. He hopes that by increasing their dorm space, they can help bring in more students from around the world.
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