SCC health center to create ‘next generation of health care heroes’

Hundreds of people got to see classrooms that are being used to train future nurses, new lecture halls and high-tech training mannequins that can blink, talk and tell students about their medical conditions. Those were some of the many features on display during grand opening ceremonies for the Scott Community College Health Sciences Center and […]

Hundreds of people got to see classrooms that are being used to train future nurses, new lecture halls and high-tech training mannequins that can blink, talk and tell students about their medical conditions. Those were some of the many features on display during grand opening ceremonies for the Scott Community College Health Sciences Center and updated student commons area at 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, held Thursday, Oct. 13.

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That project was part of a $40 million bond referendum to fund several major construction projects across the EICC district. The SCC health center project, which focused on a major renovation of existing space and added more education space at a cost of about $6.8 million. EICC officials said 22,974 square feet of space was renovated and 3,335 square feet were added to the education facilities. “It is our privilege to provide students with these facilities and state-of-the-art learning tools that are dedicated to their education and future careers,” said SCC President and Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Ann Lawler, during Thursday’s events that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the education facilities. More than 350 students graduate from EICC health care programs each year, and a majority stay in the region and go to work for local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare services.   The project at SCC included reconfiguring and redesigning the nursing, dental, surgical tech, medical assisting and CNA labs and classrooms, then outfitting them with cutting-edge patient simulators, innovative technology, and more.   “Our students deserve these spaces, so thank you to the community,” Ms. Lawler said during a speech during the grand opening ceremony held in the new Student Commons area. Other college and community officials also praised the new Health Sciences Center. Riverdale Mayor Anthony Heddlesten also pointed out to the crowd that the facility is actually in Riverdale, and that community will be at the “epicenter of building the next generation of health care heroes.” EICC Interim Chancellor Liang Chee Wee added that the new health facility will help sharpen the district’s “laser focus” on helping students succeed and help the community. “It's essential to recognize that the economic development of our region and the state of Iowa hinges on a well-trained workforce. In 2021, when the citizens of our region supported the $40 million bond, they were not only endorsing Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, but also affirming their belief in the quality of education we provide and the students we serve,” he said. After the welcoming speeches, hundreds of visitors toured the new facility. Some of the top features on the tours included:

• Surgical technician classrooms and labs.
• Dental labs and other dental training facilities.
• Nursing classrooms and labs. Many visitors were attracted to the high-tech mannequins that were placed in hospital-like beds. Visitors found the mannequins to be almost lifelike because they could blink, have their blood pressures taken and talk – telling students about their health issues and symptoms. One of those devices is a pediatric mannequin that looks like a small boy called Pediatric HAL. in a hospital bed. Instructors said they can project the mannequin to display differing conditions to train future nurses. Ta 
• The updates also include the T.J. Sheil Lecture Hall, which is named in honor of the late Theresa Sheil who graduated from SCC in the 1970s. She was a supervisor and instructor at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and was in the city during the 9/11 attacks and helped many during the event. 
• In addition to the Health Sciences Center work, visitors on Thursday also got to see the updates made during renovation of the SCC Student Commons area. That area includes study and testing rooms, a book store, financial aid officials, student services and more.

Even though much work has been done, there are more projects in the works. For instance, the Health Science Connector Building portion is still in progress. That section will join the health sciences programs together while providing student seating areas. It is expected to be complete in a few weeks, Ms. Lawler said. All those projects also were big hits with the SCC students. Grace Thalacker, 21, of Davenport said she loves the new facilities and her instructors. She plans to graduate from EICC in the spring and continue her nursing studies at the University of Iowa. Her future plans include getting a nursing job in the reconstructive surgery field. “I also love my classmates here. All of them are like a second family,” she added Thursday. Other students also praised their SCC teachers and the program.  Kandace Breckenridge of Davenport is busy with her studies and raising her three children. She said she is happy that the program offers the flexibility she needs to balance her family life with academics. Others said the keys to their academic success were their instructors. “I really like the instructors here. They really have a passion for this,” said student Emma Kleinow of Davenport. EICC’s new chancellor, Mr. Wee added “I am deeply impressed by the priority we place on meeting students where they are and offering high-quality programs and services that empower them to achieve their goals. It is a testament to our laser focus on student success.”   There is more to come to help with student success. Two additional grand opening ceremonies for education facilities have been scheduled for next week. They include:

• Muscatine Career Advancement Center, 152 Colorado St., Muscatine. Grand opening ceremonies are set for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, with opening remarks at 4:30 p.m. This ultra-modern, $10 million facility will support career and technical education training programs, according to EICC officials. The center will host high school Career Academies, offering juniors and seniors an opportunity to build workforce skills and earn college credits at no cost.
• DeWitt Career Advancement Center, 817 E. Industrial St., DeWitt. The grand opening will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, with opening remarks beginning at 4:30 p.m. This state-of-the-art 26,000-square-foot facility will support career and technical education training programs, EICC officials said. One wing of the building is designed for, and dedicated to, educating future machinists, construction workers, farmers and agriculture experts.

The grand opening ceremonies will each include tours of the new facilities, a chance to meet instructors and remarks from EICC and community leaders. There will also be light refreshments served. More information on these facilities can be found here.