Renovated SDSU Metro Center welcomes first students as construction enters final stage

Story from Pigeon605

Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls is starting to look more yellow and blue.

South Dakota State University pharmacy and respiratory care students began the spring semester on Jan. 12 in the newly renovated east two-thirds of the SDSU Metro Center at 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue, after spending the past two years taking classes in the unremodeled portion of the building.

“Some students got to see it right before they left for semester break and had some study time in the huddle spaces there. The reaction from faculty and students has been extremely positive. I think it’s exceeded what anyone expected,” said Vernon Brown, SDSU associate vice president of external affairs.

“The students are really excited about the space. Even living through the construction in an unfinished building, they liked the location because it’s so close to their clinical work. It’s essentially equidistant to both major hospital campuses and the VA.”

The more than 44,000-square-foot building was a gift from Avera in support of advancing health sciences education and strengthening the future health care workforce. It’s envisioned to become a permanent home for SDSU’s Sioux Falls-based pharmacy, nursing, respiratory care, medical lab science and public health students.

“We are encouraged by SDSU’s vision and ongoing progress, and we’re excited about the impact this project will have in welcoming and preparing the next generation of health care professionals,” said Dr. Ron Place, CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center.

“Through strong collaboration with SDSU and other education partners, Avera is proud to help open doors for students who will go on to serve our communities in these critical areas of health care.”

Construction began nearly a year ago to transform Avera’s former home medical equipment location to a multifaceted learning space for students in health sciences.

“It’s a very large and detailed renovation,” said Wes Heinricy, project manager for Journey Group. “It’s looking really good, and to see SDSU walk through and get excited for it is really rewarding as well. It will be a nice building when it’s all done.”

The first phase of work on the east side of the building was “basically a full gut and renovation, which included all new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems,” Heinricy said. “We added a mechanical mezzanine and got all new systems incorporated, plus a new parking lot, reroof of the building and exterior improvements.”

Phase one includes classroom and study spaces in addition to mock clinic exam rooms and inpatient hospital rooms.

There’s even a small simulated apartment for practicing care in the home or an assisted living facility.
“There also are some debrief rooms where a professor will debrief in small groups after a simulation,” Brown said. “These spaces are just like any of us would experience in clinics or hospitals in the real world.”

An overall goal of the SDSU Metro Center is to bring together College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions students in one physical space in Sioux Falls, Brown added.

“These students work together in the real world, but they’ve been in separate spaces in Sioux Falls,” he said. “So we think there’s great benefit to being in one building as they go through simulations more realistically. Faculty are excited to be together, and we think it’s just going to better prepare students for the workforce.”

SDSU will produce more than 1,200 health care graduates in the next five years among its nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, medical laboratory science and public health programs.

“It’s been inspiring to see how forward-thinking SDSU is in its approach to health care training and simulation,” Place said.

“Our caregivers practice in a wide range of environments, from inpatient units and clinics to patients’ homes, and effective care depends on seamless collaboration across disciplines. Bringing nursing, pharmacy and respiratory therapy together in a shared learning space helps foster that teamwork early, building relationships and trust among professionals who will care for patients side by side for years to come.”

Phase two will finish the west end of the building and include a large classroom, a lab for teaching medical skills and additional space for meeting and studying. The hope is to be done this spring.

“It’s less square footage, and we have the new systems in place, so now it’s about finishing off space,” Heinricy said.

The students who will learn inside the building are among some of the most in-demand in health care.

“Nursing, pharmacy and respiratory therapy are among the most critical needs in health care today,” Place said.

“By partnering closely with our university partners, we’re able to align education with the evolving realities of health care and better prepare graduates for successful, meaningful careers. Having an Avera career development presence on-site allows us to connect with students early, answering questions, exploring possibilities and illuminating the many pathways available within health care as they plan their futures.”

The building reflects a larger vision from SDSU President Barry Dunn, Brown said.

“When President Dunn was inaugurated 10 years ago, there were two priorities he talked about: One was creating a path to success for Native Americans at the state’s land-grant university, and the other was embracing the growth of Sioux Falls and having a stronger presence here. This is really his vision coming together.”

More than 400 students will be educated and trained in the space annually.

“It’s already getting a lot of attention in the community,” Brown said. “I have people ask me all the time when it will be ready, and I remind them these programs have been in the Sioux Falls community for three decades. But they’ve been in separate locations out of sight from most people. This gives us a much more visible location where people can come in the front door and meet with our current students or learn more about enrolling in our programs, whether in Sioux Falls or on the Brookings campus.”

Admissions counselors will work at the SDSU Metro Center, “and we know it will increase interest from potential students,” Brown said. “We look at the building of being representative of the brand. We plan to welcome community use, especially from our neighbors, because we want the property to be activated and we want to be part of the neighborhood.”