By Sylvia Blair

Though the skies were cloudy, nothing could dampen the spirits of the more than 250 people who gathered at Carroll Community College to celebrate the dedication of the new Nursing and Allied Health building on Friday, October 29 at 2 p.m.

Carroll Community College opened a new chapter in health education when President Faye Pappalardo officially cut the ribbon in front of the new facility with local dignitaries and officials by her side.

Nursing and Allied Health Building.

The new facility is expected to address the area’s nursing shortage by providing training to students who enter the nursing and allied health fields and by preparing them with state-of-the-art methods and techniques.

Official dedication ceremonies were held in the Theater in the Scott Center with a full house in attendance. Dr. Pappalardo provided a heartfelt welcome and introductory remarks, which were followed by speeches by government officials and college leadership.

Dr. Calvin Burnett, Maryland secretary of higher education, spoke about the significance of the new building in the education of professionals. The Honorable Nancy Stocksdale, House of Delegates, Maryland State Legislature, described how pleased she was that state funds were put to such good use through the new facility. The Honorable Julia Gouge, president, Carroll County Commissioners, spoke about the impact of the new facility on the county.

Michael Mason, chairperson of the Carroll Community College Board of Trustees, spoke proudly of the college’s commitment to see the project through to completion. Paula Langmead, chief executive officer of Springfield Hospital Center, spoke of the contribution the new facility will make to the local health care community. Final remarks were made by three students who represented a cross-section of study in nursing, physical therapy assistant and allied health classes.

Following the official ceremony, guests were invited to a reception inside the Nursing and Allied Health Building and treated to tours of the facility led by students.

“I am most pleased with the additional space this building provides,” Dr. Pappalardo said. “Now we will be able to grow the nursing and allied health programs, responding to the needs of the county and fulfilling our mission to offer quality higher education,” she said.

According to Nancy Perry, R.N., M.S., director of the Nursing Program at Carroll Community College, the current nursing shortage is of historic proportions in Carroll County and nationwide.

Without significant change, Maryland will find itself short 17,000 nurses by 2012, according to statistics issued by the Maryland Hospital Association.

With the new Nursing and Allied Health building, “we will be able to provide more graduating nurses and we expect this will better serve the patient population in Carroll County,” said Perry.

The college trains students to become licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. The new building also provides the college with upgraded facilities to prepare students to become physical therapist assistants. In addition, over 30 non-credit nursing and allied health courses are offered each semester. Some of the non-credit offerings are designed to prepare students for entry into the workforce while others provide continuing education for professionals.

Space in the new building has been tailored for particular professions. The building has areas that resemble a nursing home or hospital, a physician’s office with a reception area and exam room, and an apartment for practicing home health care.

In addition, the building has equipment such as EKG machines and phlebotomy chairs, enabling realistic and on-site practice of those skills. “Smart-room” technology enhances the curriculum by adding Internet resources to class presentations and allowing students and faculty to increase their technology skills.

County Commissioner Perry Jones, Delegate Nancy Stocksdale, college president Faye Pappalardo, County Commissioner Julia Gouge, and Board of Trustees chair Michael Mason cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the new Nursing and Allied Health Building.

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