Ogeechee Technical College receives $1.1M Congressional Directives grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration

Healthcare simulation center - Ogeechee Technical College seeks funding from the Health Resources And Services Administration (HRSA) to establish a state-of-the-art certified healthcare simulation center that will expand healthcare workforce training capacity throughout southeast Georgia. The region continues to experience significant shortages of qualified healthcare professionals. At the same time, local providers face increasing demands to upskill existing employees and prepare new graduates to deliver safe, high-quality patient care. The proposed simulation center will provide advanced, hands-on clinical training for students enrolled in nursing, paramedicine, radiologic technology, sonography, and other allied health programs while also serving as a regional training resource for incumbent healthcare workers. By integrating high-fidelity simulation into healthcare education, the project will strengthen clinical competency, improve student progression and completion, expand access to clinical learning opportunities, and better prepare graduates for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce. HRSA funding will support the architectural and engineering services necessary to renovate the designated training space, as well as the acquisition and installation of advanced simulation equipment and instructional technology required to operate a comprehensive healthcare simulation center. The project will create a sustainable regional asset that supports healthcare employers, strengthens educational pathways, and improves access to high-quality workforce training. As the only comprehensive healthcare simulation center of its kind in the college's service area, the project will enhance partnerships with regional hospitals, healthcare systems, emergency medical services, and other clinical providers by offering customized workforce training and continuing education opportunities. Ultimately, the project will increase the supply of highly skilled healthcare professionals, improve workforce readiness, strengthen employee retention through upskilling opportunities, and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes for the communities served throughout southeast Georgia.