Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the project consists of the renovation of an existing building on the property of the tombigbee healthcare…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the project consists of the renovation of an existing building on the property of the tombigbee healthcare authority-(DBA) whitfield regional hospital to provide classroom and training facilities to develop programs in association with wallace community college (wscc) system of alabama to address the healthcare professional shortages in rural west central alabama. The hospital and WCC are currently engaged in the joint training of care techs at an off-sight location. WRH has been a member of UAB health system for over five years. This new location will provide direct hands-on training for staff in the hospital with multispecialty professionals many provided by UAB health system who are currently engaged in care and research on the campus. The programs will provide education and training for achievement of the following credentials: - certified nursing assistant - licensed practical nurse - associate degree registered nurse - potential for expansion into other allied healthcare professions the population group served will include all the 185,000 residents in marengo and surrounding counties. Those counties consist of choctaw, clarke, dallas, greene, hale, perry, sumter, and wilcox. An existing building owned by the tombigbee healthcare authority has been selected for renovations for this project. The building is located on the authority property and consists of a 5,986 square foot one story structure with associated parking area. This building was originally constructed in 1961. An addition was added to the south end of the building in 2001. This project will provide much needed health care workers to rural health providers throughout one of the most underserved regions in our country, while providing a means for many in the region who are unemployed or underemployed to gain training and certifications that will improve both their personal economic future but also that of the region as a whole.