Kilgore College opened its Health Science Center for the Fall 2014 semester, housing four health science programs under one roof for the first time in college history: Associate Degree of Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant and Radiologic Science.
Located in a previously unused portion of Laird Memorial Hospital just adjacent to the Kilgore campus on Highway 259, KC is leasing a portion of the hospital that has been vacant for about nine years for the new Health Science Center.
Crews worked eight months on the $1.5 million renovation that houses 16 state-of-the art classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices and student lounges.
Students receive simulated on-the-job training since they are training in what was once a functioning hospital.
The renovated portion of the hospital being leased by the college accounts for about 30,000 square feet which is a 12,000 square-foot increase from its previous location on campus.