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New CHP complex opens its doors by Cindy Abole Public Relations Home, sweet home.   The words written by 19th century composer John H. Payne are a poignant tribute to the 900-plus students, faculty and staff of the College of Health Professions (CHP). More than a month ago, the college officially opened its doors—welcoming students to their new surroundings and ushering in an innovative era of learning and discovery for the state’s next generation of health professionals and health industry leaders.   CHP Dean Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., faculty and staff, waited almost five years to see it become a reality. Since 2000, she and the college focused their attention and energy in developing, creating and preparing the new technologically advanced College of Health Professions complex, with the newly renovated High School of Charleston building at its center. The $16 million complex accomplishes many firsts on MUSC’s campus, but none more notably as a structure that gathers students, faculty and staff all under one roof for the first time since the college’s inception in 1966.   “Until August, our college was essentially a collection of 11 excellent academic health programs spread out in seven different locations around campus,” said Ripich. “We didn’t feel like a college because there wasn’t any space for our students and faculty to come together. This has been the difference.” A place to call home Today, Ripich and the CHP faculty and staff can’t help but marvel at the two brick and glass structures they now call home. The complex is the first self-funded building project on campus. Starting with a CHP $5 million capital campaign in 2002, the college’s plan to build reserves and confirm commitment allowed Ripich and CHP leaders to work with the Health Sciences Foundation to secure the building and begin work. Other successful fund-raising projects followed.   CHP associate dean of academic affairs Becki Trickey, Ph.D., along with Kristi Beeks, assistant dean of finance and facilities, were charged to lead a CHP task force committee to guide the planning and stage the construction. By mid-August, the college’s move was complete.   “The process is comparable to pulling hundreds of threads together to weave a beautiful fabric,” Trickey said. “Through the help, support and determination of students, faculty and staff it all came together wonderfully.”   The complex was built by Mashburn Construction Company, Keenan Development Company and other subcontractors. Aside from the ample classroom, laboratory and meeting space, the facility supports a wireless environment challenging faculty to develop new teaching methods and students to hone tech-savvy skills. The classrooms are wired with touch screen devices, digital cameras, high-definition video screens and other complementary equipment.   “We’re in an environment that’s charged with excitement,” Ripich said. “It’s the presence of students that really make a college. Today, you can see students everywhere—sitting outside on the steps, the connector and at informal spaces outside of classrooms. Day by day, they’re making this facility their school.”      CHP students relax at the facility's Dell cybercafe. The new CHP project adds approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of classroom and teaching space, plus room for the college’s administrative offices in the renovated high school facility. The companion building adds another 40,000 sq. ft. for faculty offices, teaching labs and meeting space. Creative partnerships The new facility exists through creative educational partnerships with Dell Computers, the Berchtold and Storz corporations, Allsteel and Herald Office Systems, ideaReserve/Kendall Design Group and other local and national companies. The partnerships created special opportunities for the college and faculty to improve teaching and learning skills through programs like the college’s Dell laptop distribution program, which provide CHP students with a laptop to use throughout the duration of their studies. The Berchtold Corporation donated $500,000 of equipment to outfit a state-of-the-art simulated operating room which will serve as a multidisciplinary training facility for MUSC students and hospital staff.   “The complex is unbelievable,” said Jerry Burik, assistant professor for the Occupational Therapy educational program, Rehabilitation Sciences. Burik is among the 60-plus faculty who echo praises about the new facility.   “Everything is spacious and comfortable,” Burik said, who saw the changes as he rose through the ranks as an undergraduate and masters degree student to faculty member since 1999. “The location on campus makes everyone happy. For faculty, it gives us more opportunities to meet, talk and discuss ideas together. It also helps foster the idea of potential productivity and collaborative program development. Finally, it’s an environment that students, staff and faculty will want to return to day after day.” Technological potential Doctor of Health Administration Program coordinator Jim Zoller is pleased about the new complex’s technological potential and what it brings to the college, his specialized program and new recruitment of students.   Dr. Charles Ellis presents Alzheimers disease information to rehabilitation science students using one of the new classroom's high-tech PowerPoint/Touchscreen systems Sept. 27.   “The DHA curriculum is a three-year, technology-oriented program,” Zoller said. As the doctoral program is designed to develop talented future health care leaders, Zoller assists some of the country’s top level executives through a curriculum of formal course work and on-campus extended weekend class sessions.   “Communication is critical for these students,” Zoller said. “Technology allows our program to draw upon a variety of resources from local to nationally known scholars and industry leaders. The ability to integrate technology to our teaching style underscores our ability to provide a top quality professional program.”   Zoller is excited at the prospect of working with the college’s talented technology team using remote technology to broadcast teaching sessions via the Web, recorded classrooms and streaming video.      For students, the reaction is equally resounding.   During the planning stages, Ripich and faculty continually sought student feedback on space and technology needs. Physical therapy student and CHP Student Government Association co-president Julia Norton remembered one meeting where the dean and students discussed the need for laptops or Personal Digital Assistant as tools for learning.   “The new buildings are very student friendly,” Norton said. “There are plenty of lounge areas inside and outside of the buildings. Being in the new buildings has made it easier for students to work together with students from other programs. Even our attendance at CHP Student Government meetings has also increased dramatically with more representation from programs that were not able to attend prior to the move.” Staff support Ripich also credits the college’s 35- member staff for their own contribution and support throughout the process. Mary Steffens and other staff coordinated the publication and sale of a college cookbook, “More than a Cookbook—A Legacy of Charleston Cooking,” which features 450 recipes gathered from CHP faculty, staff, students and friends of the college. Sale proceeds since last fall have netted enough money to purchase a fountain for the college adorning a garden between the two buildings.       “Among the country’s colleges of allied health, I’m proud to say that our College of Health Professions is one of the best equipped colleges around,” Ripich said. “People took on this project as a labor of love. The work devoted to this project was a responsibility that everyone added in addition to their everyday responsibilities and job. Everyone just rolled up their sleeves and gave beyond 110 percent in this process. I’m proud of our college and everyone that had a hand in making this dream become a reality. We’ve built a building, now we need to become a college.”     Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.