Davidson County Community College, alongside Davie County Commissioners, recently unveiled plans for expanding educational opportunities in Davie County.

The announcement came at an event with elected officials, representatives from the Golden LEAF Foundation, and key Davie leaders. Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC, shared plans to expand the number of programs at the former Davie Medical Center-Mocksville location (Davie County Hospital).

“We’re proud of the presence we have in Davie County and grateful for the continual support of all those who see the value of higher education for not only our students but the community as a whole,” said Rittling.

She announced that in addition to the college’s central sterile processing and surgical tech programs located at the hospital site, DCCC will add the following: EMT and paramedic, nurse aide, practical nursing, associate degree nursing, pharmacy, human services including substance abuse certificate, medication aide, home health aide, and mammography certification.  The expansion is made possible in part by a $1 million dollar grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Dan Gerlach, president of the foundation, presented the college with the check to commemorate the efforts going towards further renovations of the Mocksville site.

Terry Renegar, chair of the Davie County Commissioners, announced the renovated portion of the hospital will be named in honor of Dr. Francis Slate, a long-time resident of Davie County and surgeon for many years at the former hospital location.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said Rittling. “With the addition of more healthcare programs offered in Davie County and in an actual hospital setting, our students will be better prepared to serve their communities in the future.”

Students enrolled in programs at the renovated location will participate in combined simulations as a part of real world and hands-on learning. The college plans to use advanced medical manikins to run multiple healthcare scenarios which will involve all of the programs working together.

The college first began offering classes in Davie County in 1968 and officially opened its doors with a campus in Mocksville in 1994. Over time, the campus has grown to include a number of career technical programs, an early college, college transfer, GED and continuing education offerings.

In 2015, through a partnership with Davie County and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the college began using the former Mocksville location. The recent announcement of expansion continues to solidify the college as a pivotal partner in advancing opportunities for Davie County residents and beyond, Rittling said.