High Point University is celebrating the grand opening of its newest building on campus. The school's president, Nido Qubein, says the multi-million dollar pharmacy and health sciences complex is the single largest investment in the school's 93-year history.
A huge DNA double helix sculpture greets visitors at the Congdon School of Health Sciences and Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. The building is full of state of the art technology.
Inside is a human anatomy lab. Cadavers are donated to the university for science. There's also a labor and delivery room. It even has a mannequin that delivers a baby.
Dean of the new school, Daniel Erb, says the simulated medical labs provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
“We have the graying of America. As we age, we need more health care and providers," says Erb. "We still have an increase in chronic disease, which includes obesity, so to treat those individuals and to improve their quality of life we have more of a need for physician assistants, physical therapists and pharmacists most definitely."
The total cost of the project is around $120 million. High Point University is inviting the public to tour the new building during a community open house on October 26. Researchers will provide a variety of presentations. Students and faculty will also perform free basic health screenings during the event.
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