Expansion Promises Strong Future for Health Services
Saint Mary’s Department of Nursing Science has long been praised for its high level of education and training. In 2020, Nursing Schools Almanac named it one of the top three nursing schools in Indiana, and in 2021, U.S. News and World Report ranked it in the top 26% of undergraduate nursing programs in the nation. While these accolades are impressive, Provost and Senior Vice President Titilayo Ufomata is confident the program will grow even stronger in its new state-of-the-art facility, the Center for Integrated Healthcare Education (CIHE).
President Katie Conboy and Ashley Moreno ’23, a nursing student, during the center’s dedication and blessing ceremony tour.
“This center has long been a dream of ours,” Ufomata said in her address to guests at the blessing and dedication of the building, celebrated during Inauguration week events. “We know that in order to educate students to become leaders in health and behavioral sciences, we must have a world-class facility that incorporates everything that the medical and behavioral disciplines consider best practice,” she said.
A $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2020 helped fund phase one of the three-phase project, and has transformed the first floor and lower level of Regina Hall. The stained glass windows that once encircled the former chapel now reflect upon a moss-covered wall, a new 80-seat lecture hall, and ultra-modern conference room, while the lower level holds the simulation labs, high-tech medical mannequins, and observation rooms. At the dedication, guests toured the facility while students and faculty demonstrated the technology.
“This is a dream come true,” said Sue Anderson, director of Nursing Science, department chair and professor. “The center elevates the Department of Nursing Science to the top of nursing programs in the Midwest. The educational opportunities that this facility offers are priceless.”
Through focused interdisciplinary and interprofessional training, students will be next-level clinicians in healthcare delivery. As the CIHE expands through phase two and three, all of Saint Mary’s health science and behavioral programs—Speech Language Pathology, Social Work and Gerontology, and Autism Studies—will be housed in Regina Hall.
“Students were extremely excited to finally get our hands on the simulation labs and all the new mannequins,” said Kathleen Soller ’22. “Even though our education is already incredible, I believe this technology will enhance it greatly.”
November 8, 2021
