Sen. Kahn, colleagues approve construction authorization for SVSU nursing center

Friday, December 19, 2008

LANSING ― The Senate approved authorization Thursday for construction of a new state-of-the-art nursing and health sciences facility at Saginaw Valley State University, said Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D.

“Michigan’s health care field is expanding rapidly and completion of this center will allow SVSU to train even more students with the medical skills necessary to land jobs,” said Kahn, R-Saginaw Township. “Construction of the facility is also expected to immediately create 1,000 jobs – this is fantastic news for the entire Saginaw Valley.”

Previously, Kahn was able to secure $21 million in state funds for the project when the Legislature approved Senate Bill 511.

The new facility at SVSU’s Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing and Health Sciences will serve as a major trainer and provider of health care professionals for northeast and central lower Michigan.

Since 2002, the university’s nursing program has expanded 220 percent. Currently, SVSU’s Health Sciences Department is spread across Wickes Hall, Brown Hall, the Regional Education Center and the Ryder Center.

The new funding will go toward construction of a $28 million, 80,000-square-foot facility, to consolidate the health sciences programs in one location. The new teaching center will enhance the technology and learning strategies essential for training in the health care professional field.

SVSU President Eric Gilbertson said that the “project would not have advanced if not for the bipartisan leadership of the Legislature with Senator Kahn playing a key role.”