The office of the University
of North Carolina system President Molly Broad approved a
motion last week for Appalachian State University to pursue
a health and allied services center.
Interim Provost Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock said establishing
a central health service center is important for the university.
“One of the top priorities for students applying to
Appalachian is an interest in health care programs. We have
very strong health programs, but they are scattered throughout
campus,” he said.
According to the Enrollment Planning Service, which analyzes
and interprets information from SAT scores, 1,654 students
who applied to Appalachian in 2003 said they wanted to pursue
a career in health and allied services. That category received
the highest number of interested students, followed by business
and commerce, and education.
“We want to do something to meet the needs and wants
of the students,” Peacock said.
The center is the first step to bring together programs from
the College of Education, the School of Fine and Applied
Arts and other programs on campus, Peacock said. If all goes
well, the center could become a college itself or a nursing
school, he said.
“There are no formal plans past bringing a center together,”
Peacock said. “But we have discussed and dreamed many
possibilities.”
Appalachian has been involved with outside organizations
and other UNC system schools in the advancement of scholarly
programs.
Peacock said he is interested in working with outside organizations
like the community colleges and Watauga Medical Center.
“Community colleges offer outstanding nursing programs,
and this is important with the shortage of nurses in North
Carolina. We could collaborate with [community colleges]
to improve our own program,” he said.
Peacock said Watauga Medical Center is an ideal place to
work with for shared space and programs for the health center
because of its proximity and interest in the future of the
program.
Watauga Medical Center President and Appalachian alum Richard
Sparks said he is looking forward to working with the university.
“We at Watauga Medical Center are willing to play whatever
role necessary, whether it be staffing or facilities, so
ASU can capitalize on the opportunity,” Sparks said.
There has been an interest in a health center and nursing
school for some time, he said.
Sparks said that Appalachian provides a top quality education
for its students, and the proposed health and allied services
center is a way for Watauga Medical Center to be involved.
|
