Funding for New Healthcare Advancements at NCC

Northampton Community College (NCC) received $2.7 million in federal funds to support the creation of an Interdisciplinary Healthcare Education and Workforce Development Center. The center will provide an integrated, state-of-the-art, team-based learning space that will enable interdisciplinary and inter-professional education for NCC’s nursing, radiography, respiratory therapy, and sonography students. 

NCC President Dr. David A. Ruth said, “With this funding, we will be able to expand the region’s healthcare education offerings through the development of two new accredited programs in cardiac sonography and respiratory therapy, currently unavailable in our region, thus allowing the College to meet the demands of our area’s healthcare workforce.” Clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients using respiratory therapy and cardiac sonography are segments of patient care growing dramatically, partly due to COVID-19. 

The new center will feature technology-driven training simulations of realistic medical scenarios that teach technical skills and clinical judgment. It will also address inequities of the healthcare system through diverse and representative simulation equipment for student learning. Additionally, the funds will provide an upgrade to NCC’s nursing simulation lab to meet the educational needs of students and the program’s learning outcomes. By creating this advanced learning atmosphere for students, NCC can alleviate the challenges posed by too few available clinical spots. 

This was one of fifteen community project funding requests that were supported by U.S. Representative Susan Wild to meet the growing healthcare workforce needs in the region. As a college of the community, NCC seeks to help fill the gap of highly trained, qualified health professionals needed to serve area residents in local healthcare facilities. 

“Thank you to Congresswomen Wild and President Ruth for helping our vision come to life and the NCC Grants and Finance teams that worked with us to develop and submit the proposal. It is with great appreciation that we will forge ahead with this project to ensure excellence for the interdisciplinary healthcare workforce,” says NCC’s Dean of Health Sciences and Education, Judith Rex, PhD, RN, BC. 

Ninety percent of NCC graduates remain local to live and work, making it a critical responsibility for the College to offer distinction in its programs that will train the region’s future workforce. Improving NCC’s facilities and implementing new degree and credential programs will create comprehensive and inclusive learning experiences for NCC students.  

The College intends to start work on the project this year. The interdisciplinary center will be housed in Penn Hall on the Bethlehem campus for nursing, cardiac sonography and radiography, and the Fowler Family Southside Center will be used for respiratory care. To learn more about NCC’s healthcare options, visit https://www.northampton.edu/healthsciences.