From August 18, 2014
In October of 2004, meetings began to be held to discuss the prospects of a Health Sciences and Business Administration Building that would be built on the Valdosta State University North Campus. The meetings were held on a regular basis to discuss the academic and clinical needs of the programs that would be housed in the new facility. In the spring of 2012, ground was broken on the new facility. On March 24, 2014, the VSU Athletic Training Program officially began teaching classes in the new facility. In all, it took about 10 years to complete the process from initial meetings, to construction, to move in. While most of the rooms in the building can be used by any program in the building, there are two rooms that are dedicated specifically to the Athletic Training Program.
The Athletic Training Program Education Lab provides over 2000 square feet of teaching and laboratory space. The ATP Education Lab can easily accommodate between 22-24 students in the laboratory component of each academic class. The ATP Education Lab has all of the technology that is required to provide in-house instruction, as well as instruction from locations off campus. The ATP Education Lab is well equipped to provide students with a diverse and hands on learning environment. Combo units, a Biodex Balance System, Stairmaster, Treadmill, and Upright Bike are just a few of the pieces of equipment located in the ATP Education Lab. There are also several other pieces of equipment that allow students to become better clinicians by utilizing skill sets found in the various courses taught throughout the curriculum. The ATP Education Lab is primarily used for student learning and research. Simulated patient care occurs in the ATP Education Lab but typically not actual patient care.
The Athletic Training Program Service Lab provides over 1600 square feet of outpatient rehabilitation space. The ATP Service Lab can easily accommodate between 8-10 patients at any one time. The ATP Service Lab has all of the latest equipment that is necessary to provide quality outpatient rehabilitation services. The ATP Service Lab equipment consists of Combo units, a Biodex System 4 Isokinetic Unit, an Alter-G Anti-gravity Treadmill, Upright Bikes, a Stairmaster, an Upper Body Ergometer, a standard Treadmill, a Total Gym Unit, as well as other strength, flexibility, and proprioception equipment. The ATP Service Lab is primarily used to treat a non-athletic population. While some VSU athletes may be rehabilitated in this facility, it will primarily serve as an outpatient rehabilitation center to service a wide range population that could include VSU students, VSU faculty, VSU staff, and the Valdosta community. This lab will provide a unique clinical learning environment for the VSU Athletic Training Students and will provide the VSU and Valdosta community with excellent outpatient rehabilitation services.
The Health Sciences and Business Administration Building will provide the VSU Athletic Training Program with incredible facilities to enhance the learning opportunities of the students within the program. As of July 1, 2013, the Athletic Training Program became a part of the new College of Nursing and Health Sciences and is located within the School of Health Sciences. Moving into the CONHS and the SOHS will allow our program to expand and allow our students to learn in an inter-professional health care learning environment. The Athletic Training Students will have the opportunity to use equipment from the Exercise Physiology Labs, as well as the “Simulation” Lab housed in the School of Nursing. The Health Sciences and Business Administration Building is a facility that the ATP faculty is proud of. The ATP faculty hopes that the Athletic Training Program Alumni have the opportunity to stop by and see the facility in person. The VSU Athletic Training Program Alumni are one of the program’s most valued assets. The ATP faculty would like to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for the program. It is very much appreciated.
If you would like a “virtual tour” of the new A.T. Program facilities, please see our video below.
Let us know what you think at cconner@valdosta.edu.