By Rabyn Ratliff, The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
Jun. 20–VALDOSTA — South Georgia Medical Center executives announced a partnership pledge of $1 million in support of the development of Valdosta State University’s anticipated Health Science and Business Administration Facility.
The announcement came during a media conference held at VSU’s campus Wednesday.
The foresight behind this growing partnership began approximately four years ago, amid discussions between VSU President Ronald Zaccari and SGMC CEO James McGahee. As McGahee shared the need to recruit more nurses and retain them in the area, Zaccari shared his vision of advancing the educational programs at the university for a variety of health occupations.
“Dr. Zaccari said, ‘Well, you know, we have north campus out there and the opportunity to let VSU become the university of choice for people in the field of nursing. . . you (SGMC) provide the opportunity to them for on the job training, and we’ll provide the education,” McGahee said, recalling the initial conversation.
From there, Zaccari took an outlined proposal of the partnership-vision before the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Soon, it began evolving into plans for building a Health Sciences and Business Administration facility, and the $46 million project was placed on the USG capital project list in 2004.
“We had to beat out 56 other projects from the 35 colleges in the state to get on the capital improvement list,” said Zaccari. “And because of the support we’ve received from (U.S. Rep.) Jack Kingston, this is the first time in the history of the USG that a capital project has been pre-planned by federal dollars.”
Funding for that portion of the project came through a federal grant of $392,826, offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
According to Zaccari, the construction of the Health Sciences and Business Administration facility establishes a partnership with South Georgia Medical Center and the region’s medical community that represents a tremendous economic impact on South Georgia.
“The new Health Sciences and Business Administration facility, planned strategically on the university’s north campus and directly across from South Georgia Medical Center’s own visionary and emerging facilities, will provide many opportunities for collaboration and new educational and clinical experiences,” Zaccari said. “Our vision is to attract outstanding scholars, teachers and researchers to Valdosta State University, and in turn open new partnerships with physicians, hospital administrators and multiple use facilities. It is an important and crucial time in our region’s history to chart a new course of action –an intense action plan that serves as a catalyst for combining scarce and valuable resources and accomplishing projects never before imagined.”
The complete project, estimated at $46 million, will include a 182,000 square foot facility (3 auditoriums, 27 classrooms, 4 computer labs and 4 computer classrooms, 6 multipurpose and conference rooms). The spacious facility, and additional facilities located on the campus, will provide the needed facilities to increase educational opportunities within various health-related and business areas of study.
A number of academic programs/disciplines will also be housed in the new facility, ranging from Nursing to Communication Disorders and Social Work, to Sport Medicine/Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology and Business Administration.
Additionally, the North Campus Expansion, which Zaccari cited will become known as “Medical Park,” will also include $30 million of construction for residence halls and dining facilities. Related infrastructure, which will develop over the years, is expected to bring the total cost of north campus expansions to approximately $75 million.
Recognizing the immediate need to enhance health care education and opportunities here, SGMC made Thursday’s pledge to demonstrate it’s partnership support.
“We’re hoping for state funding for the this project and so we wanted to show them our partnership, and that we stand behind this project,” McGahee said. “And this is the first pledge, but it won’t be the last. Once it is open and running, we will look at scholarships for students and opportunities for funding some faculty positions.”
With this demonstration of partnership, Zaccari hopes to see the Health and Sciences Center moved up the list of USG capital projects, and anticipates the start of construction within the next 24 months.
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