North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Wake County’s health care workforce pipeline is set for a major boost with the start of construction on a new simulation hospital at Wake Technical Community College’s Perry Health Sciences Campus.
The three-story, 100,000-sq. ft. Perry Family Simulation Hospital, announced Tuesday, will provide realistic multi-disciplinary training across health care specialties, from emergency care and operating rooms to imaging labs, diagnostic testing and patient rooms. Construction is scheduled to be completed for Fall 2027 classes.
“This facility will prepare students in a true interdisciplinary setting,” said Wake Tech executive vice-president and interim Health Sciences provost Dr. Nicole Reaves. “Not only will they learn skills in their respective fields, but also how to collaborate across the specialties, which they will have to do in the real world.”
The expansion, adjacent to WakeMed in Raleigh, is funded with $121 million from the Workforce Forward bond, approved by voters in 2022. It includes infrastructure and road improvements, a four-level parking deck, and the creation of a Health and Education District through a collaboration between Wake Tech, Wake County and WakeMed known as the Wake III Partnership.
“Leaders with the Wake Tech Facilities team worked closely with our important partners at Wake County and WakeMed to create a Health and Education District for this area, which will serve our community for years to come,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls.
The campus currently serves more than 3,500 health sciences students and another 3,000 in general education and science courses. Wake Tech boasts the largest Associate Degree Nursing program in the state, with most graduates employed before completing their programs.
Funding from private benefactors is also supporting the project. The facility will carry the Perry Family name, recognizing contributions from Jim and Becky Perry. WakeMed, UNC Health and Duke Health will also have dedicated spaces in the building.
“This wasn’t about who gave the most land, who gave the most money, who got the most credit,” said WakeMed President and CEO Donald Gintzig. “It was about what’s really going to help us do what we’re trying to do.”
Future plans include replacing two aging campus buildings with new training facilities and expanding health sciences programs to Wake Tech’s upcoming Conlon Western Wake Campus near the North Carolina Children’s Hospital in Apex.