University of Southern Indiana’s Health Professions Center receiving $49 million renovation

The University of Southern Indiana’s Health Professions Center is currently undergoing a renovation that will cost $49 million, with the funding coming courtesy of the Indiana General Assembly’s capital funding appropriation in 2023. This stage of the renovations is the final one, with the building having been under renovations since 2017.

According to an article on the University of Southern Indiana’s website, Dr. Julie McCullough, who serves as the dean of the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions inside the Health Professions Center, is quoted as saying of the benefits of the renovation, "The Kinney College is proud to play a vital role in building the healthcare workforce for our community and state, with licensure and certification pass rates that consistently exceed the national average. As we expand and renovate, our students will have access to cutting-edge labs and classrooms, ensuring they receive the best possible training to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry."

The first and second floor of the building, as well as the building’s exterior, is being renovated in this final stage. Steve Bridges, the university’s interim president, said of the work being done, “This exterior expansion, facing the roundabout and campus entrance, will add a striking new front door to our University. Inside, new labs, meeting spaces and new and updated areas for students and faculty will allow us to continue to grow our programs. The investment represents our commitment to advancing health professions education and serving the healthcare needs of our broader community.”

On the first floor, a new auditorium is being constructed, which will have a 250-person capacity. The auditorium will serve as an interactive classroom space, as well as a space for events on campus. The first floor will also gain several new classrooms, a student dining area, office space for Kinney College faculty, and space for the Advising Center and Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning Department. 

The second floor will receive two new respiratory therapy labs for use by students in the Respiratory Therapy Program. New laboratories will also be installed for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. Eight new nursing skills labs will be installed. New equipment for each of the programs will be housed within the new lab spaces.

Additionally, all existing offices, bathrooms, elevators, student study areas, and lounges will receive facelifts to match all new renovations. Overall, 48,000 square feet of space is being added to the building.

For more information about the University of Southern Indiana, visit the school’s website.