TERRELL, Texas — The Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Board of Trustees on Monday night approved the purchase of the old Renaissance Hospital building in Terrell, Texas, and, with the approval of the Terrell City Council on Tuesday night, will move forward with the acquisition of the facility for a future Health Science Center.
TERRELL, Texas — The Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Board of Trustees on Monday night approved the purchase of the old Renaissance Hospital building in Terrell, Texas, and, with the approval of the Terrell City Council on Tuesday night, will move forward with the acquisition of the facility for a future Health Science Center.
The Terrell City Council held a specially-called council meeting tonight, Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at 6 p.m. and unanimously approved the sale of the facility, according to Terrell City Manager Torry Edwards.
TVCC will invest $8 million into capital improvements to renovate and repurpose the current facility to make way for the new Health Science Center. TVCC will ultimately move and expand the nursing programs currently offered in Kaufman to the newly renovated Terrell facility, according to a joint press release (see below) issued Tuesday night.
The Kaufman facility will become a Continuing Education and Workforce Education Center providing non-credit classes, training and preparation for employment, test preparation, state employment, licensures and certificates, required professional development courses, GED preparation, and training partnerships with area high schools, regional workforce centers, and governmental agencies, among other groups.
Additionally, beginning in the 2018-19 school year, TVCC will provide 25 scholarships annually for a 10 year period to Terrell High School graduates with preference given to those who choose a Health Science curriculum, according to the release.
“I appreciate the vision of the TVCC Board of Trustees and the Terrell City Council," TVCC President Dr. Jerry King stated. "We are excited and look forward to providing greater educational opportunities for our students in Terrell, Kaufman County and throughout the TVCC service area in the renovated facility.”
"The presence of the Trinity Valley Health and Science program in Terrell will establish a regional location of training future generations of Health and Science professionals," stated Terrell Mayor D.J. Ory.
"The city has forged partnerships with TVCC, Terrell Independent School District, Terrell Economic Development Corporation as well as the Terrell Chamber of Commerce to promote academic excellence in Terrell and the North Central Texas area," stated Terrell City Manager Torry Edwards.
Groundbreaking on the Terrell facility will be scheduled for March 2017.
The Renaissance Hospital closed in 2013 after multiple health and regulatory violations by its former operator, Tariq Mahmood, who was later found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $145,358.23 to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
The TVCC Board of Trustees, also in their Monday night meeting, approved the purchase of Central Park and the former National Guard Armory from the City of Athens.
TVCC plans to expand their footprint in Athens with the newly purchased facilities to include a Fitness Center and a location for community and TVCC meetings as well as future expansion of the TVCC campus, TVCC President Dr. Jerry King stated in a press release earlier today.
The Athens purchase agreement also included 50 need-based scholarships valued at up to $2000 each for Athens residents.
Joint press release from City of Terrell and TVCC:
TVCC to Acquire Terrell Property for Health Science Center
The City of Terrell and Trinity Valley Community College have reached an agreement that will transfer the former hospital site located at 1551 State Highway 34 South in Terrell to establish a Health Science Center.
TVCC will invest approximately 8 million dollars in capital improvements to renovate and repurpose the current facility and will provide 25 scholarships annually for a 10 year period to Terrell High School graduates, with preference given to those who choose a Health Science curriculum.
TVCC President Dr. Jerry King complimented both entities on their diligent work in crafting an agreement that would benefit the City and allow TVCC to increase its visibility and services in Terrell and the surrounding high growth region. Dr. King stated, “I appreciate the vision of the TVCC Board of Trustees and the Terrell City Council. We are excited and look forward to providing greater educational opportunities for our students in Terrell, Kaufman County and throughout the TVCC service area in the renovated facility.”
Terrell Mayor, D. J. Ory, states that the presence of the Trinity Valley Health and Science program in Terrell will establish a regional location of training future generations of Health and Science professionals.
Terrell City Manager, Torry Edwards, stated that the City has forged partnerships with TVCC, Terrell Independent School District, Terrell Economic Development Corporation as well as the Terrell Chamber of Commerce to promote academic excellence in Terrell and the North Central Texas area.
The agreement was approved by the TVCC Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on Monday, November 28, 2016, and by the Terrell City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, November 29, 2016.
In addition to TVCC’s investment in the property, terms of the agreement will also include the establishment of an Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program, provide public health educational events and health fairs, work with TISD to establish a Dual Credit Health Science Academy as well as other programs. Scholarships will be available beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year. Graduates of Terrell High School from any year will be eligible to apply.
TVCC ultimately plans to move and expand the nursing programs from the current location in the Health Science Center in Kaufman to the renovated Terrell Campus. The current Health Science Center in Kaufman will become a Continuing & Workforce Education Center providing non-credit classes designed to meet community needs for workforce training and personal enrichment in Kaufman County. The Continuing & Workforce Education Center will provide training and preparation for employment, test preparation, state employment, licensures and certifications, required professional development, GED preparation and training partnerships with area high schools, the regional workforce centers, governmental agencies and other groups.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the college that will give us room to expand the nursing program, develop new health occupations programs, and provide much needed space for students to study and collaborate,” said TVCC Health Science Center Provost Dr. Helen Reid. “I fondly remember taking students to this same hospital for their clinical rotations back in the 1980s. It will provide exciting possibilities for realistic learning experiences such as using the ICU for a high-fidelity simulation lab and having surgical technology students practice in a real operating room. I am looking forward to the transition.”
A groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled in March, 2017.