On Sep. 14, Lewis began the renovation of South Hall, home to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
The project is a multi-phased initiative in hopes of expanding and revitalizing South Hall in an attempt to enhance the Health Science program and foster collaboration among faculty and students.
The first phase is set to begin this October and consists of a 16,000 square feet renovation of existing space within South Hall. New additions to the building will include new laboratories such as a synthetic cadaver lab, neuro lab, pediatric lab, Ortho/movement lab and a splinting/casting lab. Each lab is set to be equipped with innovative technology to allow for hands-on learning and research, increasing opportunities for students and faculty.
Part of this first renovation phase will also include enhanced tutorial and meeting rooms, upgraded classrooms, new offices, restrooms and a faculty lounge. All these were deemed essential to foster a dynamic learning environment and the insurance of a world-class learning experience.
Senior nursing major, Cassie Stupay, is looking forward to the changes.
“I think the renovations are going to be really helpful in training students on skills needed for the clinical setting and will allow the program to grow as a whole because it’ll draw more prospective students to Lewis with all the new resources available,” said Stupay.
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences will shortly begin to offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DTP) Program and is set to welcome its first cohort of students to the program in January of 2025. The program addition comes after the department just recently opened applications for their Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) program. The MSSLP program is a great pathway for undergraduate students getting a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a new undergraduate program already in action. Students in this program have the option to take more classes in their junior and senior year in order to graduate from the MS in Speech-Language Pathology in 4 semesters instead of the traditional six if they maintain a GPA of 3.4 or higher throughout their undergraduate degree.
The project is scheduled to take the entire academic school year and continue through summer of 2024 so that ongoing academic activities are not disrupted.
College news ranked Lewis’s Graduate Nursing Program 73rd in the country for “Best Nursing Schools: Masters.” With the new renovations and additions being made to the nursing program, it is the hope that this ranking, and others, will continue to rise.
Photo Credits: Katherine Groppe
