Medical Classrooms That Make the Grade
Originally founded in 1989, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing merged with Mercer University in 2001 and shortly thereafter relocated to a new academic building on the Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus in Atlanta. As enrollment grew and existing laboratories were in use up to 12 hours per day, the College recognized a need for additional instructional space. In partnership with Piedmont Healthcare, a new project was developed for their Learning Resource Center (LRC), which would provide a clinical skills laboratory space and a hospital-style classroom environment. The LRC was designed to accommodate eight multi-function hospital beds, a remote observation room, and a 30-student classroom.
Based on their successful performance on previous projects, Mercer University selected Emery & Associates as the general contractor for the LRC. Although the space was previously vacant, the schedule for the build-out presented a significant challenge. With work starting in mid April, the project had to be completed by July 1, and no work could be performed during spring exams or a scheduled open house. To meet the required deadline, the Emery team worked evenings and weekends in addition to regular day shifts. To prevent sound from the third floor renovation from disturbing the administration offices below, Emery & Associates worked around the administration’s schedule to install sound baffling in the second floor ceiling.
Haydn Fusia, Emery & Associates’ President, made the project look simple because everything was done behind the scenes. Our new Piedmont Healthcare Learning Resource Center allows us to meet student demand and augment the didactic portion of the teaching-learning process. The lab has increased our resources for students to acquire or enhance proficiency in nursing skills techniques and procedures.
– Susan S. Gunby, RN, PhD
Dean of the College of Nursing
Mercer University
Emery & Associates always performs their work in a way to minimize the disruption to campus activities and is reliable in meeting our tight schedules.
– Michael Bauer
Director of Facilities
Mercer University