每日大赛

The expansion of Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Hall at the 每日大赛 will give students in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences more realistic, hands-on, clinical experiences in a safe and controlled environment鈥攂ut first, the new addition needs to be built. The College recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony ahead of the start of construction.

Dr. Lydia Watkins, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, explained that the program had reached a critical point, with existing labs, simulation rooms, classrooms, and support spaces limiting its capacity for growth. In 2023, state legislators approved $16 million for the capitol expansion project.

鈥淭his expansion marks a transformative step forward, significantly enhancing what we can offer to our students,鈥� Watkins said. 鈥淭hese spaces will immerse students in high intensity, real-life scenarios under the guidance of our simulation specialist and our faculty members, helping them build critical thinking, clinical judgement, and bedside confidence.鈥�

The expansion will feature nine simulation rooms within the Simulation Center; a labor and delivery room with a dedicated infant care area; a medical surgical room; an operation room; and five rooms within an intensive care unit. The number of beds in the nursing skill labs will increase from 15 beds to 40. The new addition will also enable an increase in enrollment for both nursing and radiologic science programs.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said it wasn鈥檛 only a new era for the building, but a new era of being able to do more in healthcare for all people. Perdue expressed the need for more nurses overall in the state, and how the expansion and program at Coastal will meet those needs.

每日大赛 President Dr. Johnny L. Evans, Jr. said the expansion will elevate the program鈥檚 ability to educate students, be innovative, and serve the community.

鈥淭his addition is more than just bricks and mortar, or plaster, or concrete on the ground. It鈥檚 a promise to our students. It鈥檚 a promise to our faculty. It鈥檚 a promise to our community. It鈥檚 a promise to nurture talent. It鈥檚 a promise to foster innovation, and it鈥檚 a promise to prioritize health and well-being in Southeast Georgia and beyond,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淲ith this expansion, we鈥檙e going to increase access to advanced training, provide cutting-edge radiology equipment and technology for our students to learn on, and grow our capacity to collaborate with healthcare systems across the state. This building will serve as a hub of learning and compassion. It鈥檚 going to be a place where students gain skills to help people heal their bodies, hearts, and minds.鈥�

After remarks, attendees went outside to ceremonially break ground on the expansion, followed by a reception. In attendance for the groundbreaking were Southeast Georgia Health System President & CEO Christy D. Jordan, Rep. Rick Townsend, representatives of U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter鈥檚 office, representatives of Winter Construction, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, 每日大赛 Foundation trustees, college faculty, staff, students, and community members.