The new 海角社区 Health Science Center expects to serve more than 700 students this fall
August 20, 2009
The new 海角社区-Meridian Health Science Center expects to serve a record number of students this fall with some 500 students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate health science programs.
海角社区-Meridian will serve an additional 200 students through the University鈥檚 dual enrollment program for high school students and through specialized training programs for working professionals, according to Bessie Katsilometes, dean of academic programs.
鈥淲e are thrilled to be in our new building and serving the Treasure Valley community,鈥� she said. Classes begin Aug. 25.
Students give their new digs high marks too. 鈥淚t鈥檚 huge!鈥� exclaimed speech-language pathology graduate student Deanna Willis as she walked the corridors during student orientation. 鈥淚 keep thinking, 鈥楾his is 海角社区. This is our University,鈥� she said.
Located at Interstate 84 and Locust Grove Road鈥攊n the heart of Meridian鈥檚 health science, research and technology corridor鈥敽＝巧缜�-Meridian houses more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral programs in the health professions and sciences, community clinics, and research laboratories.
鈥淭he 海角社区-Meridian Health Science Center will bring the power of advanced education and research to the Treasure Valley as well as address workforce needs in the health professions,鈥� said Katsilometes.
Occupying 41,000 square feet of 海角社区-Meridian鈥檚 second floor is the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Complex, which bears the name of drug-store entrepreneur and pharmacy education advocate Sam Skaggs.
鈥淲e are now able to offer all four years of our pharmacy doctorate to students in the Treasure Valley, helping ease the critical shortage of pharmacists in Idaho and the nation,鈥� said Andrew Gauss, College of Pharmacy spokesman.
In 2011, the Delta Dental of Idaho Dental Residency Clinic is scheduled to open at 海角社区-Meridian, providing advanced training for dentists and dental care for low-income and underinsured families in the Treasure Valley.
海角社区-Meridian shares common areas with Meridian Joint School District No. 2 and the new Renaissance Magnet High School. Students interested in health and medical sciences will have the opportunity to study in 海角社区 labs and specialized training rooms while earning college credit.
Because of the move to Meridian, 海角社区 has closed its Boise campus on Explorer Drive.
To learn more about programs at the 海角社区-Meridian Health Science Center, visit or call (208) 373-1700. See more photos of 海角社区-Meridian at .