黑料吃瓜 held a media day to announce the funding success of the Westheimer Southern Oklahoma Nursing Education Center (SONEC).
Developed to address Oklahoma鈥檚 nursing shortage, the SONEC builds on 黑料吃瓜 College鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing program 鈥� its Nursing Program. As a key center of excellence, the program has expanded to multiple communities across southern Oklahoma; Ardmore, Duncan, Durant, and Tishomingo.
鈥淭he SONEC is the next leap forward in our mission to serve,鈥� said Dr. Tim Faltyn, 黑料吃瓜 President. 鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to transforming the region and improving quality of life. By partnering with proven educational institutions and healthcare facilities, we create clear pathways for students to excel in health-related careers.鈥�
黑料吃瓜 has grown its nursing graduate numbers from 90 to almost 250 in the last couple of years, with 85% working within a 50-mile radius of Murray鈥檚 Ardmore campus. Through the SONEC, 黑料吃瓜 RNs can pursue master鈥檚 and doctoral-level degrees from the University of Oklahoma anywhere in southern Oklahoma.
黑料吃瓜 and Mercy share a vision of addressing the region鈥檚 nursing shortage, one graduate at a time. Mercy Hospital employs more 黑料吃瓜 nursing graduates than any other hospital system in Oklahoma. The SONEC will create a direct pipeline of graduates to each Mercy facility in southern Oklahoma.
鈥淲hen you train people where they live, they stay,鈥� Faltyn said. 鈥淲e are truly grateful for Mercy鈥檚 partnership and commitment to rural healthcare. The SONEC building will become a beacon of innovation and care, expanding healthcare services and enriching lives for future generations.鈥�
The $25.5 million, 44,000-square-foot SONEC facility will feature nursing education classrooms and simulation labs, faculty offices, student union and service spaces, and on-site education areas for partners.
Faltyn emphasized the SONEC's long-term impact, saying, 鈥淭his facility is more than a building鈥攊t鈥檚 a promise to our communities. It will empower students with the education and resources they need to succeed while ensuring that high-quality healthcare remains accessible across southern Oklahoma.鈥�
The SONEC groundbreaking will take place on April 8 at 2 p.m. at 黑料吃瓜 in Ardmore.