TYLER (KYTX) - Land is already being cleared at the corner of Fifth and Fleishel streets to make room for Tyler Junior College's new state of the art medical training facility.
Just down the street, students in the college's medical programs practice their future professions in cramped spaces.
"There's not that many rooms. We have to share instructors and the chairs and floors and everything," said Lauren McMillan.
For years, these dental hygiene students have been working with equipment you probably won't find in today's medical office.
"There are some things here that are maybe a little antiquated from what modern dentists and private practices have," said Greg Mullins.
That's why it's so important to get the ball rolling on the school's new nursing and health sciences center.
Wednesday morning, school leaders listened to a presentation from the Dallas architect who will design the facility. They even had a chance to see how the buildings will look in Tyler's growing medical district.
"Tyler is going to be world class, a gold standard, and I think it's going to bring a lot of excitement, skills, and some real skilled professionals," said Dr. Mike Metke, TJC President.
The new medical training facility will have modern equipment very similar to hospitals and students will have much more room than they do now.
Something the future nurses who practice their skills in this room greatly desire.
"There's going to be more space , more equipment, more room to move around," said Tina Hyett.
Not only will students benefit from the new facility, so will people who come to the school to receive medical treatment. More services could be added to serve more people in the community.
For example, patients who visit the school's dental clinic.
"The community comes here to get their teeth cleaned. So, it will be a better environment for them as well," said McMillan.
A better environment and better education to make sure these students are ready to take care of the medical needs of everyone in our community.
In May, voters approved a $25 million bond to help build the new medical center. Tyler Junior College expects the center to be completed by Spring of 2015.
