Bluefield State University awarded $7.1 million federal award for health care training facility
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Mar. 29—BLUEFIELD — Bluefield State University will receive a $7.145 million Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award to support the creation of a state-of-the-art health care training facility at the BSU Medical Education Center, university officials announced Friday.
The Fiscal Year 2024 CDS request was submitted by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.
"Bluefield State has been an educational cornerstone in southern West Virginia for generations," Capito said. "As the leading Republican on the subcommittee that funds these programs, I'm pleased to help secure the support they need to create a new health care training facility. I will continue to use my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to work with entities across West Virginia to understand the needs they have to make the necessary improvements to benefit our state, especially our students."
"Bluefield State is extremely grateful for the support of West Virginia's Congressional delegation," said Dr. Darrin Martin, BSU's Interim President. "This positions the University's College of Health Sciences to train more health-care professionals who can address this health care access gap in the region, where residents often face a shortage of health care professionals and limited access to health-care facilities."
The award will be utilized to create two wings at the Medical Education Center, expanding classrooms, laboratory space, and offices for the BSU College of Health Sciences, university officials said.
Bluefield State University now offers programs in health care administration, education, imaging science, radiologic technology, sonography, and nursing. The training facility also creates the opportunity to offer additional health-care programs.
"As a Historically Black University and a STEM University, BSU is uniquely qualified to provide these vitally important educational training and postgraduate employment opportunities for West Virginians," Martin said.
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com