Shawnee State receives grant for health lab upgrades
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PORTSMOUTH — Shawnee State University has received an Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Grant to support renovations in its College of Health and Human Services laboratory spaces.
The updates are expected to enhance hands-on learning for students and address healthcare workforce needs in the region, according to a community announcement.
The grant will fund upgrades to the university’s medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology and respiratory therapy labs. While the exterior of the Health Sciences Building has been improved recently, the interior lab spaces require updates to meet current health care standards.
Expanded lab spaces and updated equipment
The renovations will include expanded teaching lab spaces, particularly for the high-demand radiologic technology program, which will grow from a capacity of about 25 students to up to 40. The respiratory therapy lab will be reconfigured to replicate hospital settings, with access to hospital beds, air and oxygen systems. All three labs will be redesigned to improve workflow, instructional demonstrations and student access to equipment.
“These updates will allow students to train on equipment and in spaces that mirror real-world hospital and clinical environments, improving both the quality and quantity of graduates,” Christine Raber, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, said in the announcement.
The updated labs are expected to help address the healthcare worker shortage in southern Ohio by training more students to meet current industry standards. Shawnee State health science programs already boast high exam pass rates and strong employment outcomes, and the renovations aim to further enhance graduates’ workforce preparedness, according to the announcement.
Constructions to take about a year
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with phased openings for the renovated labs. Students are expected to see completed spaces by the end of 2027.
“This grant represents a significant investment in the future of Shawnee State’s College of Health and Human Services,” Raber said. “It allows us to expand capacity, improve our programs and better serve students and the community. Faculty are excited about the opportunity to enhance both teaching and learning.”
For more information about Shawnee State University’s College of Health and Human Services, visit shawnee.edu/chhs.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
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