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Finlandia University held its monthly Community Partners virtual discussion Wednesday at noon. Gathering education officials from local districts in addition to the college, business organizations like KEDA, and health representatives virtually, the goal of the talk was to explore the challenges COVID-19 is creating for all stakeholders.
The Hirvonen College of Health Sciences is open and being used by students in what used to be the Hancock Middle School. Vice President for Academic Affairs Fredi de Yampert talked about the changes that have been made, so that the space is conducive to physical therapist assistant and nursing instruction.
The cafeteria has been transformed into classroom space for the PTA program. The former administrative offices house faculty and computer terminals. Nursing is on the east side of the building. Different areas are devoted to each grade level. Static mannequins are available for sophomores. Juniors are in the old wood shop housing the simulation lab. Mannequins there react as humans would, including simulating cardiac arrest and giving birth. Seniors are in the former music room when they aren’t involved in clinicals at area hospitals.
De Yampert says to expect an open house later this year. Before it was the middle school, the building was a high school. President Philip Johnson says he hopes former grads stop by, so he can see their reaction to the changes.
Finlandia does not have any COVID-19 positive cases on campus right now.
