The Gerald L. Francis Center, home of the School of Health Sciences located on Haggard Avenue, opened this month.
The department of physician assistant studies moved into the building Jan. 3, and the program will begin in January 2013. The doctor of physical therapy program transferred from McMichael Science Building to the Francis Center as well.
Until the physician assistant program begins, the building will be used for open houses, student visits and admissions interviews, in addition to physical therapy classes. Candidates for Elon's doctor of physical therapy program, many of which will make up the largest class to go through the program, toured the new building Jan. 9.
Many of the faculty members have offices in the building, and meetings will be held there in preparation for the accreditation process of the site.
Prior to construction, the building held Smithfield administrative offices and served as a warehouse. Contractors, designers and the Elon support staff have organized bi-weekly meetings since May 2011 regarding the new facility, said Neil Bromilow, director of Planning, Design and Construction Management at Elon.
"We converted a dark and industrial warehouse into a warm and welcoming academic space," he said.
There are five exam rooms, an ultrasound, neuroscience and osteology lab, a Qualisys gait analysis and rehabilitation system and a 16-channel wireless EMG system, among several other classrooms and new equipment.
"The classrooms are adaptable to many different layouts," said Mark Archambault, department chair and program director for the physician assistant studies.
The Francis Center offers small group study spaces, clinical skills laboratory space and simulation lab experiences.
The adaptability of the classrooms will prepare students for future clinical experiences and increase their confidence in their skills, Archambault said.
"We know that the facilities are among the best in the nation, if not the best," Archambault said. "We hope that the facilities create a habitat for promoting active learning and sharing of knowledge, skills and experience among peers. "
The Francis Center not only provides space for these two departments, but the transfer of the physical therapy program provides an additional 17,000 square feet for undergraduate research in the McMichael Science Center.
"The relocation of the DPT program to the Francis Center frees up space in McMichael Science Center for expanded undergraduate science programs," said Dan Anderson, vice president of university communications.
In addition to the move, hiring constribures to the development of the School of Health Sciences.
Faculty members that have already been chosen for the physician assistant studies program are Mark Archambault, deptartment chair, program director and associate professor of physician assistant studies; Patti Ragan. associate professor; Brenda Quincy, academic coordinator and associate professor; and Diane Duffy, director of clinical education and assistant professor.
"The four faculty on the website (including myself, but not including the medical directors) were hired from March through September of 2011," Archambault said." We have identified four additional faculty members to join us September 2012."