MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Leaders at Hutchinson Community College, alongside state and federal partners, celebrated the completion of a major renovation project Tuesday with a ribbon cutting at Davis Hall—marking a significant investment in healthcare workforce development across Reno County and Kansas.
HutchCC President Dr. Tricia Paramore described the project as the final phase of a three-part initiative aimed at expanding and modernizing training for nursing and allied health students.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” Paramore said during the ceremony. “It’s about investing in the future of healthcare workforce development in Hutchinson, Reno County, and the state of Kansas.”
The multi-phase effort began with renovations at the Peel Center, where high-fidelity simulation labs and expanded classroom space allowed the nursing program to grow to 100 students. A second phase strengthened partnerships with Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, utilizing hospital space for clinical training and ongoing professional education.
The final phase, unveiled Tuesday inside Davis Hall, includes updated student and faculty spaces along with a new state-of-the-art radiology lab for the college’s Radiologic Technology program. Officials say the upgraded facilities will better prepare students for real-world healthcare environments.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who attended the event, emphasized the broader impact of the investment, noting that healthcare workforce shortages remain a critical issue across Kansas.
“Everywhere I go, the common denominator is we can’t find people to work,” Moran said. “We don’t have enough trained professionals, and expanding workforce training through institutions like Hutchinson Community College is key to solving that.”
Moran highlighted that the project was supported through congressionally designated spending, aimed at strengthening workforce pipelines in high-demand fields like healthcare.
He also underscored the importance of sustaining healthcare access in rural communities, warning that shortages of medical professionals can threaten the long-term viability of small towns across the state.
College leaders credited strong partnerships—with Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and federal support—for helping bring the project to completion. The expanded facilities are expected to not only serve students but also provide ongoing training opportunities for healthcare professionals across Kansas.
The Davis Hall renovation represents a milestone in Hutchinson Community College’s broader mission to address workforce needs while supporting student success and community health outcomes.