May 27, 2008

SDCCD BREAKS GROUND FOR MESA COLLEGE ALLIED HEALTH BUILDING

    Another milestone was reached in the San Diego Community College District’s bond construction program, funded by Propositions S & N., with a groundbreaking for the new Mesa College Allied Health Building. The $20 million, three-story, 49,000-square-foot instructional facility will house five degree and certificate programs in the following health care fields: Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology and Medical Assisting.

    During the ceremony, the district’s chancellor, Dr. Constance M. Carroll, praised many people for their support, especially Mesa College President Rita Cepeda and the Board of Trustees, as well as Black Contractors Association President Abdur Rahim Hameed for his work in outreach to subcontractors for this project.  Dr. Carroll said, "every building we construct is the result of two things: the need to address the real needs of our community, and the collective vision and collaboration of many people in doing so."

    The four-year collaborative design process involved faculty, architects, health care professionals and regional experts in health care facility design and incorporates state-of-the-art "smart" classroom technology and ergonomically sound classroom and laboratory design. The structure will include a computer lab, classrooms, and clinical dental, physical therapy and medical laboratories, plus faculty and staff offices. In addition to serving approximately 250 students annually, the facility will be used to provide vocational training and continuing education units for healthcare professionals throughout the region.

    In her remarks, Mesa College President Cepeda said that the building will "train much needed professionals in high demand health occupations and support the ability of local health providers to provide high quality caring professionals."