Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
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SBU NURSE TRAINING CENTER BEARS HUTCHINS NAME
BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University Springfield Campus held a dedication ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 30 for the naming of the nurse training center – the Wayne & Diana Hutchins Center for Nursing Education.
“We thank Wayne and Diana, so much, for what they have done for this University and this facility,” said Dr. C. Pat Taylor, president emeritus of SBU. “They have been great donors and great friends to SBU, and have given generously for the construction and the equipping of this building. I’m so pleased our Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name this building after Wayne and Diana Hutchins.”
The Wayne & Diana Hutchins Center for Nursing Education, which was renovated and then dedicated in September 2016, is located at 1265 E. Lark St. The 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility features a learning resource center, simulation lab, nursing stations, task training room and a 50-seat classroom.
Autumn Edge, a current SBU ASN student, said the center allows current and future students a “safe place to learn skills, role play and make mistakes.”
“I am a hands-on learner, and to have a place to come to and practice skills on a manikin, or role play in a simulation lab, has helped me to become more confident and ready for my time in clinicals,” Edge said. “Our time in simulation correlates with what we are learning in class and we are able to actively participate in scenarios that we may not have an opportunity to be a part of in clinicals.”
When the Hutchinses first visited the facility, “it was just a shell; dirty and cobwebs all over the place.” Since that time, the building underwent an immense transformation.
“On our first visit back here, the rooms were finished but no manikins were here,” said Wayne Hutchins, a member of the SBU Board of Trustees since 2001 and a member of the SBU Investment Committee since its inception. “We had a third visit, the manikins were in and in beds down the hall, and it looked like a morgue – pretty scary. Eventually, the manikins were in place and the hospital rooms were in operation.
“Diana and I have enjoyed seeing this Center for Nursing Education become a reality, and we look forward to supporting it in the future.”
One of the primary purposes for the center is for simulation, which has become an integral part of higher education in health care, said Dr. Sylvia Barber, assistant professor in the ASN program and simulation director.
“It provides students a realistic environment with the ultimate goal of developing clinical reasoning skills in a safe learning environment,” Barber said.
As of Aug. 30, Barber said there have been 449 simulated events completed in the facility, with 3,857 student visits to simulation, where they have cared for “patients” across the lifespan.
In addition, there have been countless tours given to potential nursing students and high school students.
“There’s just been one thing missing… and that’s a name for our building,” Barber said. “So, today is exciting. From the faculty, I’d like to express my appreciation and say thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins, for this beautiful facility dedicated as a center for nursing education and also a center for educating nurses well into the 21st Century. Indeed, it is a center our students, most definitely, deserve.”
That dedication to the education of the nursing students is important to the Hutchinses.
“It means that we are furnishing the students with the best learning that they can get, teaching them how to be a good nurse,” Wayne Hutchins said. “Also, when we went through (the facility), I was amazed how near it is to a hospital and it’s pretty realistic. The facilities are absolutely superb.”
And, tying that education to the mission of SBU is the key to the future success of the facility and the program.
“The healing arts taught at the Springfield campus, teaching people to be the hands and feet of our Lord – that’s what we do here,” SBU President Dr. Eric A. Turner said. “That’s pretty special. And, what we do here exemplifies our mission in a very real and meaningful way. We’re grateful for you, Wayne and Diana, for helping us to advance the mission of Southwest Baptist University.”
PHOTO 1: SBU President Emeritus Dr. C. Pat Taylor (left), along with SBU President Dr. Eric A. Turner (right), assist Dr. Wayne and Diana Hutchins with the ribbon cutting at the Wayne & Diana Hutchins Center for Nursing Education.
PHOTO 2: SBU President Emeritus Dr. C. Pat Taylor (right), with Dr. Wayne and Diana Hutchins, welcomes guests at the dedication of the naming of the Wayne & Diana Hutchins Center for Nursing Education.
PHOTO 3: Dr. Wayne and Diana Hutchins are honored at the naming of the Wayne & Diana Hutchins Center for Nursing Education.
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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
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