Campus facilities support
Building exceptional environments
A tour of the MCV Campus provides visible proof of the difference private investment makes in building a world-class academic medical center. Progress fueled by philanthropic support is evident everywhere. You can see it in major new facilities such as the Molecular Medicine Research Building, the School of Nursing and the Goodwin Research Laboratory, and also in newly renovated spaces such as the Department of Nurse Anesthesia’s Center for Research in Human Simulation, the School of Pharmacy’s Clinical Skills Labs and the School of Dentistry’s DentSim Virtual Reality Lab.
State-of-the-art facilities are a magnet for achievement, drawing gifted scholars, students and researchers to our campus and encouraging them to do their best work.
Nurse anesthesia
The philanthropic community has been a keen supporter of the Department of Nurse Anesthesia, helping it become the preferred destination for graduate students and faculty studying the art and science of nurse anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthesia Center for Human Simulation (pictured above) is equipped with advanced technology that allows instructors to create training scenarios where standard anesthesia protocols and procedures, as well as rare and critical events, can be practiced in a safe environment.
Cancer
Massey Cancer Center’s Goodwin Research Laboratory, which opened in spring 2007, is another shining example of a successful public-private partnership. The $41.5 million, 80,000-square-foot structure is named in honor of major benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Goodwin Jr. Their gifts, along with leadership gifts from the Massey Foundation and family, were met by tremendous support from members of the community who understand the pressing need for research into better treatments for cancer.
The interior of the Goodwin Research Lab accommodates up to 275 research staff in open space that encourages collaboration and in unique modular lab areas designed to expand or contract to meet specific research program needs. The building itself anchors the east end of the MCV Campus, adjacent to Massey’s cancer treatment clinics and the hospital. This provides the scientist-physicians quicker access to their patients.
Adjoining the building is Becky’s Garden, a 3,000-square-foot healing garden, where cancer patients and their families can take a break from their treatments and embrace nature. The garden is named for Rebecca Massey, its creator and greatest champion.
Pharmacy
In the School of Pharmacy, private donations have helped outdated labs transform into modern, high-tech learning spaces. The two recently renovated Clinical Skills Labs feature 130 workstations in simulated practice environments complete with pharmacy counters, shelving with drug inventory, phones and computers equipped with the most advanced community pharmacy software. The workstations are arranged in modular, moveable groups, allowing for optimum workflow and flexibility as future needs arise. Large plasma screens strategically placed around the labs give students a perfect view of the lab instructor’s demonstrations.
Another of the pharmacy school’s major physical improvements is the conversion of two lecture classrooms into a single 150-seat, lecture hall with the latest multimedia equipment and Internet connections at every seat.
Nursing
The new VCU School of Nursing education building, which opened in April 2007, is already helping the school fulfill its promise of educating more nurses to help ease the national nursing shortage and improving the quality of health care. Enrollment in 2009 stood at almost 1,000, more than double what is was in the 1990s and placing the school among the largest in Virginia. The school’s research endeavor also has increased significantly, moving from No. 23 in 2007, to No. 19 in 2009.
The hand of private philanthropy is evident everywhere in the building. More than $3 million of the $17 million construction cost came from private contributions, including leadership gifts of $500,000 each from HCA Richmond Hospitals and the Theresa A. Thomas Foundation. A permanent collection of more than 100 watercolor paintings donated by W. Baxter Perkinson Jr., D.D.S., VCU School of Dentistry alumnus and former rector of the VCU Board of Visitors, liven the walls throughout the nursing school’s halls, classrooms and labs.
Outside, in a protected courtyard, is a serene garden where students and faculty can study, visit or simply take a welcome break. The landscaping is anchored by several fine bronze sculptures, a gift of Charles G. Thalhimer, one of MCV Campus’ most loyal and dedicated supporters.
