Healthcare Education Center


School of Nursing and Health Professions Education Center

Owens Community College continues to support regional labor demands with the new $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center, a renovation and expansion project providing more than 86,500 square feet for students to pursue healthcare careers. Housing the College’s School of Nursing and Health Professions students, the center features expansive lab space and modern equipment.

The Interprofessional Education and Simulation Center is the new facility’s highlight. The area is dedicated to fulfilling Owens’ approach of interprofessional education (IPE), where multiple healthcare disciplines collaborate, working to become a highly effective team with a goal of improving patient outcomes. The Interprofessional Education and Simulation Center features include the following:

  • Six-bed simulated hospital with the latest healthcare equipment available to reproduce clinical events and patient care
  • Several high-fidelity mannequins that are computerized and can be programmed to react in a realistic manner during learning activities
  • Flexible space with movable walls that can convert for home health and other settings where students can work with patients as a team

Healthcare Education Center Floor Plan

HEC Floor Plan

Virtual Video Tour

Click here to watch a short video.

Healthcare Leader

Owens offers 22 degrees and certificates across 11 healthcare disciplines and averages 414 graduates*, including 230 nurses, annually.

A majority of these graduates find employment before graduating with Promedica, Mercy Health, Blanchard Valley Health or other area providers. They are highly skilled professionals dedicated to patient-centered care in the northwest Ohio community.

Ten of the 11 School of Nursing and Health Professions departments will be housed in the Healthcare Education Center:

The Exercise Science offices and labs are located in the Student Health and Activities Center.

*-Average for the past five academic years through 2022-2023.

Modern Labs

All the lab and clinic areas provide students with the most modern learning opportunities.

Nursing Lab

  • Includes two skills labs for initial instruction, one practice lab for additional practice and five hospital rooms students use to demonstrate what they have learned
  • Simulated hospital providing a real-life modern healthcare setting with 36 patient beds and updated equipment
  • Large monitors to enhance the learning experience while students work together to refine patient care skills

Dental Hygiene Lab and Clinic

  • State-of-the-art, spacious and fully functional public dental clinic with power-driven scalers in each of the 25 operatories
  • Cordless prophy handpieces available for each workstation
  • Computers at each workstation for viewing charts and radiographs

Magnetic Resonance Lab

  • Simulated MRI scanner used for students to position patients for exams
  • Software that simulates real-life MRI procedures and images
  • Multiple lab spaces to provide ample opportunity for learning and practice

Surgical Technology Lab

  • Two state-of-the-art operating room suites that simulate real-world surgical environments for hands-on learning
  • Dedicated sterile processing lab designed for workflow efficiency, following industry standards for sterile processing departments
  • Advanced simulation mannequins for practice with surgical procedures
  • Enhanced learning environment configured to provide individualized and group learning experiences, maximizing hands-on practice opportunities

Sonography Labs

  • State-of-the-art sonography equipment in the labs that will be used in real practice
  • Technology-enhanced learning with TV monitors at each scanning station
  • Immersive environment designed to mimic clinical experience
  • Private scanning lab to offer hands-on scanning experiences with real-life patients

Radiologic Technology Labs

  • State-of-the-art X-ray equipment that includes cameras and lasers
  • Large monitors to display X-ray images and videos
  • Computers to demonstrate simulations that support student learning

Physical Therapist Assistant Lab

  • Simulated therapy learning space that allows students to practice skills on human subjects
  • Fully equipped lab that provides hands-on experience prior to working with patients in the clinical setting
  • Contemporary learning space that facilitates collaborative, student-centered learning

Occupational Therapy Assistant Lab

  • Assistive technology empowers individuals with disabilities to perform daily tasks independently and safely
  • Smart appliances with voice-activated controls
  • Adaptive utensils and automated cooking tools

Health Information Technology Lab

  • Modern office suite arrangement with 20 workstations
  • Area designed for students to work collaboratively on projects
  • Large monitor display to enhance student learning

Medical Assisting Lab

  • Comprehensive lab designed to simulate a primary care office
  • Image capture devices to maximize the in-person and remote learning experiences
  • Simulated fully functioning physician’s office lab to allow students to acquire and process specimens in real-time
  • Large monitor display to enhance student learning

In-Demand Careers

Click below to view more information!

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Cardiac Sonography10 percent$29-$48$60,320$78,210

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Dental Assisting7 percent$15.12-$17.75$31,450$44,820Sign-on bonuses

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Dental Hygiene7 percent$30-$36$61,510$84,860Some offices offer sign-on bonuses

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Dental Office CoordinatorLittle to no change$11.71-$13.92$24,350$34,600

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography10 percent$29-$48$60,320$78,210

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Exercise Science14 percent$45,380

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Health Information Technology16 percent$58,250

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)6 percent$29-$38$60,320$80,900

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Medical Assisting14 percent$16$38,270

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Medical Coding8 percent$47,180

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Occupational Therapy Assistant23 percent$64,080

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Physical Therapist Assistant19 percent$22-$25$41,000$57,240

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Practical Nursing5 percent$45,000$54,620Sign-on bonuses

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Radiologic Technology6 percent$27$56,000$65,140$2,500 or more sign-on bonuses

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Registered Nurse6 percent$29$61,000$81,220Sign-on bonuses

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Sterile Processing1 percent$36,360

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
STNA4 percent$13.48$28,030$18-$35.76

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Surgical Technology5 percent$56,350

Associate DegreeEmployment Increase ProjectionEntry Level Hourly WageEntry Level Annual SalaryMedian SalaryMisc.
Vascular Sonography10 percent$29-$48$60,320$78,210

*-2022-23 Bureau of Labor Statistics data

Groundbreaking Ceremony

The formal groundbreaking ceremony occurred on Thursday, November 16, 2023.  Click here to see photos and read more.

Grand Opening Ceremony

The formal grand opening ceremony was held on Monday, March 17, 2025. Click here to see photos and read more.

Support

Help provide state-of-the-art facilities to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Contact Kelle Pack in the Owens Community College Foundation at kelle_pack@owens.edu.

Healthcare Education Center – named giving opportunities >>
Dental Hygiene and Assisting Labs – named giving opportunities >>