Western Wyoming Community College (Western) will break ground on a new Health Science wing this month. The public is invited to attend a ceremony commencing the project Friday, May 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. with President Dr. Kim Dale, Western Board of Trustees, health science faculty, and local partners. This event will mark the beginning of a 10,100+ expansion to the west side of the College with an estimated budget of $11.1 million dollars. Occupancy is projected for August 2026.
Western’s nursing program grew from 24 students per year in 2008 to 40 in 2017, without increasing space. In 2020, a Level II study was commissioned to determine the best course of action for Western’s health science curriculum, ultimately determining that new, dedicated, space was needed.
“During our Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation visit in 2020, we received continuing accreditation as being in full compliance with all standards. With the recommendation to expand our physical resources such as facilities and technology to keep up with the demands of healthcare education. This new wing and equipment will meet these requirements. Approximately 80 nursing, 48 nurse assistant, and 72 phlebotomy students will be using this space each academic year. We are extremely excited!” states Heidi Brown, Chair of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing.
Wyoming’s healthcare shortages are outlined in Governor Gordon’s Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) Phase I report.
Demand is also expected to grow by 14% statewide. The plan recognizes the nimbleness at a community college level to provide the infrastructure for rural communities’ healthcare needs. In Phase I, WIP invested $22,400 in Western for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) outreach labs to support teaching. The funds were used to update equipment in January 2021 and enabled an increase in course caps from eight to ten in many clinical sites. The courses are managed and taught by 13 adjunct instructors across the service area, which includes the communities of Afton/Swift Creek, Evanston, Lyman, Mountain View, Pinedale, Rawlins, Rock Springs and Green River.
Funding of the new Health Science wing includes state (50/50 split), college and grant dollars. In January 2023, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded Western a $3 million grant to help diversify the economy of Southwest Wyoming by boosting the region’s healthcare workforce. The grant is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative.
“Western has always been a leader in healthcare, and this new building expansion continues this legacy through state-of-the-art technology, labs and curriculum. This project would not be possible without support from Western’s Board of Trustees, the Wyoming State Legislature and federal Economic Development Association. Special thanks also go to our talented nursing faculty who have contributed their expertise towards design of this educational facility. This venture will support all communities Western serves,” states President Dr. Kim Dale.
For the latest updates, and to follow this construction project, Western has created a unique website page: westernwyoming.edu/
