Thursday morning was a landmark occasion for a landmark structure at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus.
Students from the paramedic/emergency medical services program and the practical nursing program were among the first to hold classes in the new Health Sciences and Wellness Building, a 20,273-square foot facility designed by Crafton Tull and constructed by The Cone Group.
“This building will give students more incentive to come here because we have the latest and greatest technology,” said Kelsi Andres, a paramedic/EMS student from Solgohachia. “It’s like we’re actually in the ambulance. I want to transition into nursing, so the paramedic program gives me the bridge to be able to further my education and become a registered nurse.”
The Health Sciences and Wellness Building is Arkansas Tech-Ozark’s first two-story structure. It features laboratory and technology expansion, offices for faculty and support staff, a fitness center, student lounge areas and a testing center.
It will house five of the campus’ allied health programs — paramedic, health information technology, physical therapist assistant, practical nursing and registered nursing.
“I’m just thrilled with it,” said Ester Leonard, program chair for the practical nursing program at Arkansas Tech-Ozark. “I really think the students will rise to the occasion. We’re moving very much to what we want to be, a state of the art campus. We have a lot more technology capabilities, including new simulation labs that will allow us to work students through some stressful situations without the stress of a live patient.”
Arkansas Tech-Ozark is planning a dedication ceremony for the Health Sciences and Wellness Building at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 17. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and tour the building at that time.
“It’s a state of the art facility,” said Joshua Freeman, program chair in paramedic/EMS. “A lot of colleges do not have the ambulance simulator, so that is a big deal for us. We have high-fidelity mannequins that go in it and act almost like a real person. Being able to have that and make it as real as possible for their training is a benefit that we haven’t had in the past. That’s the best part for us.
“We have a standard of excellence throughout our program, and I think now that we have the new building and the new equipment, I think the students will be able to see that we have the facilities to achieve that,” continued Freeman. “The realism of the simulation lab and the equipment we have in the classroom will allow us to teach them to the level they need to be able to go out and take care of patients. Ultimately, that is our job.”
Bethaney Blackwell, a paramedic/EMS student from Lavaca, was able to sum up her reaction to the building in one word.
“It’s awesome,” said Blackwell. “It looks like there will be more opportunities to learn with more space and new equipment.”
The building also has three new computer labs available for student use.
“We have a lot of students who do not have good computer access at home,” said Leonard. “The new computer labs will make a big difference for our students, and the exercise room will get students more involved in activity and promote a healthy lifestyle throughout campus.”
Visit www.atu.edu/ozark to learn more about educational opportunities available at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus.
