North Georgia Tech Opens Healthcare Wing on Currahee Campus

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

North Georgia Technical College’s Currahee campus unveils a new wing designed for students entering the health care industry.

The school cut the ribbon on its new health care wing on Tuesday.

The 31,000 square foot addition at the campus on Highway 17 between Toccoa and Lavonia will house programs including Practical Nursing, EMT and Paramedicine, Medical Assisting, along with other health care certificate programs.

North Georgia Technical College President Dr. Gail Thaxton says the wing houses both classroom and lab space.

“It’s quite unique because now our students are going to train on state-of-the-art equipment, such as simulation models that perform body functions and demonstrate disease symptoms.”

She said students will also learn how to work in patient assessment rooms and ambulance simulators.

“They will conquer chemistry and biology concepts in modern science labs,” Thaxton concluded.

Thaxton recognized the past leadership at North Georgia Technical College and other local and state officials for getting the ball rolling on building the new wing.

She says the community played a major role in making this expansion at the Currahee campus happen.

“The community wanted space for expanded programs that meet industry needs,” Thaxton said. “The community wanted programs that supplies workers to hospitals and other healthcare organizations. And the community wanted higher education that is both accessible and affordable. Then the community went to work as only Northeast Georgians can, and got the $3.2 million project funded.”

Numerous local officials from both Stephens and Franklin counties attended Tuesday’s ribbon cutting.

Health care leaders from the area also attended Tuesday’s ribbon cutting.

Also on hand were state officials.

Addressing the students in attendance Tuesday was Technical College System of Georgia State Board Member Dinah Wayne.

Wayne said the students are the reason the new healthcare wing was built.

“This new addition was built for you,” Wayne told the students. “It’s here to train you for a new career, a better future and your place in the Georgia workforce.”

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the school opened the building for tours for those in attendance.