DAVENPORT — With a growing need for healthcare and qualified health care professionals, in the community, St. Ambrose University and Genesis Health Systems are moving forward with construction of a health sciences education center.
The center will be located at the southeast corner of Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park, in Davenport.
The $11.5 million project is expected to be completed by August 2010. Groundbreaking is expected to happen this spring.
So far, St. Ambrose has raised $7.5 million through the local corporate and medical community, alumni and friends of the university.
The health sciences building is part of the “Our Challenge and Promise: To Give. To Guide. To Grow.” campaign that began in 1999.
Once completed, the facility will house the university’s academic programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The facility will have space to allow the university to expand those offerings.
“While these are extraordinary times,” said St. Ambrose University President Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, “we will act now, with faith and vision, motivated to continue our fundraising on behalf of children, returning soldiers and the aging population our graduates continue to serve.” She added, “We are thankful for the support of our Board of Trustees, Genesis Health System and our major donors to date.”
“Genesis Health System is proud to collaborate with St. Ambrose University in bringing about a new health sciences education center,” said Doug Cropper, president and CEO of Genesis.
“Supporting state-of-the-art learning facilities, convenient clinical access and the university’s capacity to prepare more, well-educated health care professionals reflects Genesis’ commitment to making the highest level of health care available to the Quad-Cities community.”
St. Ambrose has nationally accredited academic programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
It offers a doctor of physical therapy, one of only 21 orthopedic physical therapy clinical residency programs in the nation. Its occupational therapy program is the only master’s-level program in Iowa. Its assistive technology lab — the only kind in the state — serves disabled Quad City residents with individualized equipment and home environment adaptations.
St. Ambrose’s nursing department provides registered nurse and Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees, and a Master of Science in nursing.
About 75 percent of St. Ambrose nursing graduates remain and practice in the Quad City area.
