CENTREVILLE – Community. Collaboration. Opportunities.
Those were among the words repeated during Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony of the Bibb County Health Science Academy in Centreville.
Healthcare education opportunities will expand in Centreville and the county because of the new 14,000-square foot facility – through a partnership among the Alabama Community College System, Shelton State Community College, the Bibb County Board of Education and Bibb County Medical Center.
“This is a first-of-its-kind partnership for a healthcare center across Alabama. This will become a best practice model to be developed and replicated throughout the state,” said ACCS Chief Health Care Officer Dr. Kenneth Kirkland.
Through hands-on instruction, advanced technology and career-focused learning, the Bibb County Health Science Academy will introduce students to a wide-range of healthcare-related careers. Students will have opportunities to pursue credentials, certificates and licensure, in addition to receiving career coaching, ACT prep, placement services and real-world clinical experience.
“For us, it’s about helping students figure out what their passion is. We can help turn that passion into a purpose because of partnerships like you see today,” said Shelton State President Dr. Jonathan Koh. “This is truly a community effort, and we are this community’s college. We are proud to serve in that capacity and continue this collaborative effort.”
Shelton State and Bibb Medical Center have maintained a partnership since 2022. Nighttime nursing courses are conducted for Shelton State students at the hospital and nursing apprenticeship opportunities have also been formed.
“The nursing apprenticeship program has been very valuable to us. When the students get in the field and realize the passion and drive that comes with taking care of patients, it’s a rewarding feeling,” said Bibb Medical Center CEO Heather Desmond. “The day the apprentices graduate, they are ready to go to work. There’s not much of a learning curve to worry about.”
The new Health Science Academy should increase the collaborative practices between Shelton State and Bibb Medical Center.
“As the center grows and leverages its resources, it will provide even more opportunities and be home for our students who live in this area. We can expand the math and science offerings for dual enrollment students and offer Skills for Success courses,” Koh said. “We can create pathways where they learn and stay in their community.”
Added Desmond: “Many of our employees grew up here. I grew up here. It’s important to take care of your community. Healthcare serves a wide variety of needs. The wonderful opportunities the new facility will provide for the community is hard to put into words. It starts with dual enrollment students, extends to apprentices and covers everything in between.”
Centreville, which is located 35 miles from Tuscaloosa and 50 miles from Birmingham, is among the rural cities in Alabama that offers healthcare opportunities.
Expanding rural healthcare opportunities across the state is focus of the ACCS, which offers more than 80 health science programs across its 24 colleges.
“The partnership between the ACCS and Bibb Medical Center is valuable. They are both changing communities for the better. I’m thankful for the willingness to work with me on this project,” said Senator April Weaver – District 14. “One of the things I’m most excited about is this will help keep highly trained healthcare professionals right here in their community.”
Fall 2028 is the expected completion date for the Health Science Academy.