RAPID CITY, S.D. (May 17, 2022) – Monument Health has announced its commitment to nursing education with a $2 million contribution to the new West River Area Health Education Center that will be built at Black Hills State University’s Rapid City campus.
The West River Health Science Center (WRHSC) is a coordinated effort between Black Hills State University, South Dakota State University College of Nursing, and the West River Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
The $15 million center will allow the SDSU College of Nursing to fully move to this site by creating room for nursing skills labs, a simulation center and nursing faculty offices. This facility could nearly double the region’s capacity to educate and train new Registered Nurses. When open, the center anticipates the number of graduates will increase each semester from 72 to 120.
“Monument Health cares for 450,000 people in western South Dakota and surrounding states. Although the Health Science Center will be located in Rapid City, its graduates will be serving patients from throughout the region,” said Paulette Davidson, President and CEO of Monument Health. “Western South Dakota needs more Registered Nurses, and the need will increase in the future.”
Additional state funding for the facility was approved by the South Dakota Legislature in its 2022 session. Funding was also approved to support a similar simulation center at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls.
Monument Health will be the exclusive naming rights sponsor of the West River Health Science Center and will also be able to use the simulation center to provide continuing education and training to nurses.
Construction will start on the West River Area Health Education Center in fall 2023 at the Black Hills State campus in Rapid City.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephany Chalberg
Public Relations Manager
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
schalberg@monument.health