SALINAS — Hartnell College and Salinas Valley Health celebrated the unveiling of the Hartnell College Center for Nursing and Health Sciences in Salinas last month.
This partnership between the college and the medical center is long-standing, with both organizations having collaborated for many years. The Oct. 18 unveiling celebrated the success of the partnership where students gain valuable education at Hartnell College while training at Salinas Valley Health.
Elected officials, donors and community partners gathered to commemorate the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of Hartnell College and Salinas Valley Health joint signage on the building.
“Today’s celebration signifies that we are one community dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in the healthcare industry,” said Michael Gutierrez, superintendent/president of Hartnell Community College District. “We are excited to witness the positive impact our work will continue to have on our students and our region.”
Pete Delgado, Salinas Valley Health president/CEO, echoed praise for the strong partnership between Hartnell and the medical center.
“Hartnell is a vital asset to our community, and we are especially grateful for their decades of collaboration in developing the next generation of healthcare professionals,” Delgado said. “When two quality organizations partner and work together as we do, the impact has a ripple effect in the community.”
Made possible by Measure T funding, construction on Hartnell College’s Health Sciences building at the main campus in Salinas commenced in January 2019 and was completed by Spring 2022. The addition to Hartnell College directly responded to the growing need for healthcare staff by expanding student access to nursing and health sciences education, training and employment opportunities.
Other generous support from Salinas Valley Health and community donors significantly contributed to growing operations and student programs.
The Center for Nursing & Health Sciences showcases three cutting-edge classrooms, skills labs and simulation rooms furnished with advanced technology that offer the opportunity to train in highly realistic settings while gaining essential skills through hands-on experiences.
Second-year Respiratory Care Program student Jeremy Jones describes the facility as awe-inspiring, boasting a comprehensive range of equipment crucial to his learning.
“I cannot overstate how impressive our facility is,” Jones said. “Every piece of equipment found in the medical field can be found here; the simulation lab is a replica of a small Intensive Care Unit, and the mannequins in here are so lifelike.”
To learn more about nursing and health sciences programs at Hartnell College, visit hartnell.edu/academics-affairs/academics/nah/.
