Lee wants health training facility in West Knox

Sandra ClarkOur Town Health, West Knox County

Contingent on state funding, a $74 million healthcare training facility could be built near Parkwest Medical Center on land donated by Covenant Health. Gov. Bill Lee has proposed $67.5 million to construct the Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center.

Partners are Roane State Community College, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville and Covenant Health. The facility would have 130,000 square feet, with at least 11,000 square feet devoted to the simulation center.

This facility on Hayfield Road would be replaced.

It is meant to replace Roane State’s current Knox County Center for Health Sciences, a 16,000-square-foot campus located at 132 Hayfield Road, between Parkside Drive and Kingston Pike. Roane State is expected to provide a $6.5 million campus match to the state funding.

And Covenant Health has made the land gift contingent upon funding approval by the state legislature.

The facility will enable instructors to provide comprehensive simulations of the work students will be doing when they graduate, in settings similar to clinics and hospitals.

“Our Knox County Campus has served us well, but we are landlocked in that space and our programs have no room for growth,” said Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley in a press release.

“Expanding to meet local workforce needs in health science careers is a top priority and with the help of our partners at Covenant Health, we can increase the number of students accepted into our nationally accredited programs, add new specialized courses and provide a one-of-a-kind educational experience that prepares students for the real world.”

Jim VanderSteeg

Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health president and CEO, said, “We’re pleased to donate the land for the new health science and simulation center, which will bring innovative resources to a greater number of students and prepare them for success in their healthcare careers.

“This is an exciting partnership for Covenant Health. Educating the healthcare professionals of tomorrow is a vital part of caring for our communities, and we’re very proud of our collaborative clinical training initiatives with more than a dozen colleges and universities, including Roane State.”

Current Roane State programs served by the new simulation center will include nursing, EMS, polysomnography and respiratory therapy, with the college planning to add new programs such as cardiovascular technology, healthcare administration, fire science, public heath, ultrasound and more.

Additionally, TCAT Knoxville will offer its health science programs under the same roof. Those programs include dental assisting, phlebotomy and surgical technology, among others.

“I’m delighted that TCAT Knoxville can join with Roane State in this project, which will benefit the health science and allied health students of both our institutions for generations to come,” TCAT Knoxville President Kelli Chaney said.

“Healthcare is critical to the people of East Tennessee, and a steady supply of highly skilled and trained professionals is crucial to both the care of patients and the success of the industry. This project will increase that supply, and give students great new career opportunities in health professions in high demand. It will also free up space on our campus for other career and technical programs. It’s a win-win-win for all.”

Mike Belbeck, executive vice president of operations for Covenant Health, agreed. “This partnership will create a unique synergy between classroom studies and hands-on experience for students in our region. Students will have the convenience of attending classes at the new center and participating in clinical training opportunities right across the street at Parkwest Medical Center, as well as other Covenant Health facilities.”

The governor’s 2022-23 budget proposal is now being reviewed and considered by the state legislature. Once fully funded and approved, Roane State, Covenant Health and TCAT Knoxville hope to have the facility open for students within three years.

Information provided by Covenant Health, Roane State Community College and TCAT Knoxville.

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