BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) — A generous award will be given to Bluefield State University to help with their healthcare training facility at the BSU Medical Education Center (MEC).
The award, which totals $7.145 million, is a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award that was submitted by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Joe Manchin, and Congresswoman Carol Miller.
“Bluefield State has been an educational cornerstone in southern West Virginia for generations. As the leading Republican on the subcommittee that funds these programs, I’m pleased to help secure the support they need to create a new healthcare training facility. I will continue to use my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to work with entities across West Virginia to understand the needs they have to make the necessary improvements to benefit our state, especially our students,” Senator Capito said.
This award will be used to build two wings at the MEC. It will also be used for classroom renovation, laboratory space, and offices for the BSU College of Health Sciences. The University now offers many different programs in healthcare and this training facility also has the opportunity to offer more healthcare programs as well.
“Bluefield State is extremely grateful for the support of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation. This positions the University’s College of Health Sciences to train more healthcare professionals who can address this healthcare access gap in the region, where residents often face a shortage of healthcare professionals and limited access to healthcare facilities,” noted Dr. Darrin Martin, BSU’s Interim President.
“As a Historically Black University and a STEM University, BSU is uniquely qualified to provide these vitally important educational training and postgraduate employment opportunities for West Virginians,” Interim President Martin concluded.