Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Construction work is expected to start this month on a major building renovation that will house Stephen College's new master of physician assistant studies program.
The college is gutting Sampson Hall and demolishing the building's addition to build a new one, the Columbia Daily Tribune (http://bit.ly/1PXDboM ) reported.
Project manager Richard Perkins declined to comment on the project's cost or how the renovations are being funded, but did note that renovations are scheduled to finish in July 2016. Since Stephens College in Columbia is a privately funded institution, it's not required to share budget information.
Janese Silvey, a college spokeswoman, said the three-story complex will house classrooms, faculty offices, labs and multiuse learning spaces. The third floor will be devoted to a cadaver lab, which she said is a requirement for physician assistant programs.
The school's program, launching in fall 2016, will prepare students to work in primary care settings and coursework will include clinical rotations at area hospitals, clinics, private practices and individual providers.
The college has been adding more health sciences programs because those careers are in high demand, said Rebecca Kline, director of marketing and communications for the school.
"It's always a moving target," Kline said. "We look at where careers are heading and help to prepare women for those."
___
Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
