Dixie health science expanding

ST. GEORGE — Dixie State College and Intermountain Health Care are teaming up to build a state-of-the-art health sciences center here that will help boost the number of graduates in nursing and other critical health-care specialties.

"Health care is the number one issue in the nation," said Russell C. Taylor, a major benefactor to the 78,000-square-foot facility to be constructed adjacent to Dixie Regional Medical Center just off River Road. "As this great city of St. George and Washington County grow, more health personnel will be needed. We know this facility will help people and improve lives."

Taylor, who spoke during last week's groundbreaking ceremony for the $22 million Russell C. Taylor Health Science Center, said he struggled with the idea of being a major donor and having the building named after him.

"Then I came to the great conclusion that you can't take it with you," he said. "I have a message for all the future students who come here to study: Make the most of your education, work hard, be the best you can be, and be good citizens in this great nation."

Seven years ago, Dixie State College students interested in earning a degree in a health science field found few offerings. Today, fully one-quarter of all students studying at the college are enrolled in courses geared toward a health science career, said David Borris, DSC dean of business, health and technology.

Once the health science center is completed next spring, it will double as a training facility for the hospital. Students in nursing, dental hygiene, emergency medical technology/paramedic, medical radiography, respiratory therapy, surgical technology and phlebotomy will all be housed in the new building.

The facility will also have room to accommodate programs in physical therapy assisting and medical laboratory technology, which IHC has pledged to support with a $720,000 donation over the next three years.

"This project is critical to developing this region's health care workforce," said Terri Kane, DRMC administrator. "We are going to hire these graduates, and the potential is clearly there for research."

Dixie State College President Lee Caldwell said the new facility would allow the college to immediately expand its nursing program by 40 students, while the number of dental hygiene graduates will increase by 100 percent.

"There will be distinct labs for each medical specialty," he said. "It will provide a comfortable learning envi- ronment that will encourage student collaboration."

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