APSU Health Professions Building Works To Fill Gap In Tennessee Health Care

Austin Peay State University (APSU) has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Health Professions Building — a major step toward addressing critical healthcare shortages across Tennessee.

University leaders celebrated the facility’s opening this week, marking the realization of a vision that began with a feasibility study conducted in 2010. The building is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, providing students with hands-on, team-based training that mirrors real-world healthcare environments.

“One of the primary goals of this facility is to create an interdisciplinary space where a team of professionals works together to ensure patients receive the best care possible,” said Dr. Karen Meisch, Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

The new facility is expected to significantly impact several high-demand fields, including nursing, speech-language pathology, and medical laboratory science — especially in underserved rural communities.

“We’re currently seeing an average six-month delay in filling some of these critical positions,” said Dr. Dlynn Williams, Dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences. “There’s particularly high demand in speech-language pathology, medical lab science, and nursing. Our graduates who wish to stay in Tennessee can expect near-100% job placement, especially in this region.”

The Health Professions Building spans more than 114,000 square feet and cost approximately $105 million to construct. The facility offers real-world clinical experiences by serving actual patients in areas such as speech pathology and psychology, and it houses laboratories supporting the university’s student health center.

In addition to serving current community needs, the building positions APSU to train the next generation of healthcare professionals — a timely development, as the Clarksville area prepares to welcome two new hospitals.

“With Clarksville’s rapid growth and new hospitals on the horizon, we need to ensure we have enough trained healthcare professionals to serve this expanding population,” Meisch added.

APSU also received grant funding from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to support healthcare education in rural communities. Through a partnership with Maury Regional Health, the university is expanding access to health education and services in those areas.

“These pathways are designed to give students — even as early as high school — a clear route into healthcare careers, whether that’s nursing, medical lab science, or other specialties,” Williams said. “From early exposure to direct employment, the program helps students move seamlessly into the workforce.”

The Health Professions Building will accommodate classes for about 2,000 students each semester, playing a key role in building a stronger, more sustainable healthcare workforce for Tennessee and beyond.

Source: WKRN.com