Santa Fe College and the Bradford County School District will mark the opening of a new nursing degree program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 19, at North Florida Technical College.
The 10 a.m. ceremony at the technical college, 609 N. Orange St. in Starke, will celebrate the launch of Santa Fe College’s Associate of Science in Nursing Bridge program, housed in a newly renovated health sciences building on the campus. The program is designed to let licensed practical nurses earn their registered nursing credentials without leaving Bradford County.
The program grew out of a partnership between Santa Fe College and Bradford County Public Schools intended to expand access to nursing education in rural communities. A $4 million grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, provided to the school district by Gov. Ron DeSantis, paid for the renovation, giving students a high-tech classroom and lab space at North Florida Technical College.
Scheduled speakers include Bradford County School District Superintendent Will Hartely; Santa Fe College President Dr. Paul Broadie II; Caridad “Carrie” E. Lee, chair of the Santa Fe College Board of Trustees; Santa Fe College Trustee Jeff Oody; Gabe Bullaro, CEO of HCA North Florida; and Dr. Tracy Ison, chair of nursing programs at Santa Fe College.
Remarks and the ribbon cutting will be followed by tours of the new facility and refreshments.
Students who complete North Florida Technical College’s existing practical nursing certificate program will be able to move directly into the new ASN Bridge program, according to Santa Fe College.
Santa Fe College opened in 1966 and is part of the Florida College System and a charter member of the League for Innovation in the Community College. In addition to its nursing program, the Gainesville-based college is home to a planetarium, a nationally recognized teaching zoo and a Fine Arts Hall.
