(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Santa Ana College (SAC) will celebrate the grand opening of its new, $58.8 million, 55,563-square-foot Health Sciences Building on January 10, 2024, at 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting event for the community. The state-of-the-art facility will house programs including Nursing, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies, Emergency Medical Technician, and Pharmacy Technology along with simulation laboratories, study centers, classrooms and computer labs.
“We welcome the community to celebrate our newest educational building with its cutting-edge simulation labs and instructional spaces, and to learn more about our outstanding health science programs that train first responders and health professionals to help our local residents and boost our local economy," said Dr. Annebelle Nery, SAC president.
Included in the new Health Sciences Building are four nursing simulation labs equipped with high-tech mannequins, cameras and video displays that simulate patient medical scenarios, as well as an emergency medical technician lab, equipped with an ambulance simulator and mannequins that mimic a real-life ambulance experience. The building also houses pharmacy technology and nursing skills / medical assistant labs with 20 hospital-grade beds and headwalls, providing life-like training and learning opportunities for students.
“These state-of-the-art simulation labs, along with new computer facilities and classrooms, will provide excellent, hands-on training to our students and prepare them for expanding opportunities in the healthcare profession," Nery said.
Occupational Studies students practice skills in Health Sciences Building lab
Construction of the three-story Health Sciences Building began in March 2021 and was partially funded by Measure Q, approved by Rancho Santiago Community College District voters in 2012, along with other state and local funds, Nery said. It will open for classes for SAC's spring semester, starting Feb. 12, 2024.
Prospective students and community members can RSVP for a tour and resource fair during SAC's Health Sciences Building Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 11, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 12, by visiting SAC.EDU/HealthSciences.
1530 W. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398
The new Health Sciences Building opens as career opportunities in healthcare continue to grow in Orange County. According to the 2019 Orange County Workforce Indicators Report from the Orange County Business Council, healthcare sector job growth is expected to remain strong, fueled in part by Orange County's “aging population which has increased demand for Healthcare-related products and services." The report also states that healthcare training programs, such as SAC's, are instrumental for meeting the ongoing workforce needs of the county. “Community colleges serve as an important pipeline for these occupations," according to the report.
SAC's new Health Sciences Building is located south of the existing library and north of the new Science Center, which opened in 2022. With the completion of both the Science Center and the Health Sciences Building, SAC's existing Russell Hall built in 1967, will be demolished beginning in March 2024, to become a new campus entry and drop-off spot for students.
At Santa Ana College, classes start every eight weeks, to learn more, visit www.sac.edu.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 54,600 students yearly. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. Santa Ana College is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
