American International College has broken ground on the new building for the School of Health Sciences. Located at 1020 State Street, the 20,174 square foot building will be completed in the fall of 2018.

The building will house the college’s new Exercise Science program, as well as expand the college’s well-known programs of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

In 2021, the athletic training facility located in the Henry Butova Gymnasium will be moved over to the new Health Science building as well.

Dean Cesarina Thompson of the School of Health Sciences said the new building will offer additional space and state-of-the-art educational technology.

“Our dedicated and talented faculty and staff are committed to preparing future healthcare professionals who are ready to meet the needs of a highly complex, evolving, and diverse healthcare environment,”

Dean Thompson said.

Thompson is an accomplished teacher with more than 30 years of academic leadership experience. She also claims that “employment in these health professions is expected to increase much faster than the average of all other occupations.”

Health Science programs specialized in this building will include Exercise Science (BS & MS), Nursing (BSN), Nursing (RN to BSN), Nursing (MSN), Occupational Therapy (MSOT), Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), Physical Therapy (DPT), Public Health (BS), and Speech Language Pathology (minor). These programs are quite challenging, but will prepare students for their work in the real world.

After walking around campus showing students the picture of the rendering with the expected look of the building, many were overwhelmed with excitement.

Freshman Natalee Giacondino was impressed.

“The building looks beautiful, and it will definitely attract many new students into the different programs,” she said.

Student Brianna O’Brien added, “the building has such a modern and unique look. There are so many different and amazing programs that will attract students in the upcoming years.”

The School of Health Sciences building will include a variety of labs, rehabilitation, human performance spaces, and clinical simulations. The building will also include a range of classroom and faculty offices.

AIC has a such a wide range of health science majors, and is sure to get more with the additional space and programming coming. Among these majors, comes with extreme difficulty, however, it benefits students in the long run.

Professor Karen Rousseau, PhD, RN, Director and Associate Professor of Nursing, weighed in on the value of the Health Science programs at AIC.

“The demand for qualified healthcare professionals increases every year. With a nursing degree from AIC, your career choices are virtually limitless, and your preparation will give you a real edge in the job market,” Rousseau said.

This statement does not just apply to Nursing majors – it is evident in almost every Health Science major.

Not only will the new school of Health Sciences fascinate students worldwide, it will also fill students with amazing opportunities.

The professors and faculty are among the best in the country, and they will give students all of the preparation they will need in their field.

The aesthetic of the Health Science building is so pleasing, and it will add a more modern look to campus. AIC students cannot wait to see the new home of the School of Health Sciences in the fall of 2018.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Health Sciences facility will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. at 1020 State Street.