KAYSVILLE—Students who want to enter the healthcare field can now receive training in the new state-of-the-art Michael J. Bouwhuis Allied Health Building on the Davis Technical College (DTC) campus. A formal ribbon cutting to launch the facility was held last week.

The 85,000 square foot building is named for retired Davis Tech President Michael J. Bouwhuis who served for 24 years.  

“There are 11 programs,” said Melanie Hall, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for DTC. “The second floor is for practical nursing. Students can move directly to Weber State University. It’s taught by WSU instructors so it’s a seamless pathway to continue on to WSU.”

As part of the dental assistance program, every Friday DTC offers dental care in partnership with the Bountiful Community Pantry, said Hall. “We call it Pantry Smiles. They provide critical services to patients.”

There is such a demand for healthcare workers now, she said. “We’ve seen a spike during the pandemic. There’s been a huge uptick in the CNA program of people who wanted to get involved. CNAs often go on for their LPN, RN or as surgical techs.”

“It’s a great stepping stone,” said Heidi Anderton, Instructional Management Assistant. “Students can complete it in about five weeks. It gives direct patient care in assisted living, to doctors and nurses in a hospital setting and providers in the home as well to the aging population or those who need support.”

They are ready to give care in fundamental ways, said Hall, whose mother needed additional help before her passing. “A family like ours couldn’t have done it without them. They are the unsung heroes of the healthcare world. It’s the most foundational direct training someone is going to get.”

The facility has practice labs that look like recovery rooms or surgical suites. “There are manikins that look like human bodies designed to have ailments that humans have,” said Hall. “It’s a form of AI meets medicine. The nurses can practice on them and get the experience in a simulation environment. The manikins can sit up and make groaning noises. It’s fascinating but a little bit horrifying too.”

There is also an advanced EMT and firefighting program, Hall said. “They learn in a fabulous ambulance simulator. We’ve partnered with Layton City to use their burn tower for training too. You could be a firefighter who is first on the scene and need to give medical attention until EMS arrives. They wear a lot of hats. We don’t always appreciate the role a firefighter has in lifesaving procedures on scene.”

The new facility will allow DTC to serve 3,300 students. “The programs offer great accessibility,” said Hall. “There are not long waiting periods so you can get started pretty quickly. We see students coming straight out of high school and others who are looking to retool their career.”

“We have 61 to 68-year-olds starting over because they didn’t want to retire,” Anderton said. “It’s fun to see a class with a senior in high school and a 63-year-old grandmother. We have a grandpa and his grandson taking welding together.”

For more information about DTC programs visit davistech.edu.