Monument Health is donating $2 million to the new West River Area Health Education Center to be completed in fall 2023.
The donation supports the community health system’s “commitment to nursing education,” according to a press release.
The West River Health Science Center will be built at Black Hills State University's campus in Rapid City. This will be a coordinated effort between BHSU, the South Dakota State University College of Nursing and the existing West River Area Health Education Center.
“Monument Health cares for 450,000 people in western South Dakota and surrounding states,” Paulette Davidson, president and CEO of Monument Health, said. “Although the Health Science Center will be located in Rapid City, its graduates will be serving patients from throughout the region.”
The $15 million center will include nursing skill labs, a simulation center and nursing faculty offices. Added training space will allow the SDSU College of Nursing to completely move to the new site.
The new center could also double the region’s capacity for educating and training new registered nurses. After its completion, the center anticipates increasing graduate numbers each semester from 72 to 120.
“Western South Dakota needs more registered nurses, and the need will increase in the future,” Davidson said.
The South Dakota Legislature approved funding for the facility during the 2022 session.
With its donation, Monument Health will have exclusive naming rights for the new center.
