County College of Morris celebrates groundbreaking for new Center for Health Professions
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — County College of Morris (CCM) marked a major milestone Wednesday with a building dedication ceremony for its new Center for Health Professions, an 80,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility set to open in winter 2027.
State, county and local officials joined college trustees, faculty, students, and community members to celebrate the project, which aims to expand health care education and workforce development in Morris County and across New Jersey.
The ceremony recognized several state legislators — Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, former Sen. Steve V. Oroho and Sen. Paul A. Sarlo — for their advocacy in helping make the new center a reality.
“I am proud to have CCM in my district, and it returns so much to the county and state, and now we have this facility that is going to turn out magnificent students with a job and without great debt,” said Sen. Anthony M. Bucco.
In support of the center, Sen. Joseph Pennacchio added, “The President did his homework; he saw a need and made it happen.”
Former Sen. Steve V. Oroho reflected on the college’s growth: “I am grateful that I can drive onto the campus and say I have had a small part of what’s happening here at CCM.”
“We were able to deliver the money, but CCM has the vision and what it takes to make this a reality,” said Sen. Paul A. Sarlo.
Funding for the project was made possible through support from Gov. Phil Murphy, the New Jersey Legislature, and the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.
“CCM is making a real impact on children’s lives and getting people into our workforce, and these investments make our college a hub for Morris County,” said Stephen H. Shaw, deputy director of the county board.
CCM President Dr. Anthony J. Iacono said the new center represents more than a construction milestone.
“Today’s celebration represents more than the construction of a new building, it’s a promise to our students and the community,” Iacono said. “This Center will prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals who will care for residents of Morris County and the surrounding region. CCM is excited to partner with medical and dental providers to address the national shortage of healthcare workers and to ensure extraordinary opportunities for students, thereby meeting the needs of the healthcare community.”
The Center for Health Professions will feature modern laboratories and learning spaces that mirror real-world medical environments. The facility will allow CCM to launch new degree and certificate programs in dental hygiene, dental assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, medical assisting and other high-demand fields, while expanding its programs in nursing, radiography, respiratory therapy, emergency services and paramedic science.
“It’s a privilege to be the recipient of the amazing graduates from CCM,” said Trish O’Keefe, Ph.D., R.N., senior vice president of Atlantic Health System and president of Morristown Medical Center. “These students are prepared, engaged, and focused on patients and families bar none. Morris County is growing leaps and bounds, and residents deserve the best care throughout their journeys in healthcare. We are stronger and better as a county, a state, and a healthcare delivery system when we are all working together.”
Paul DiMaio, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut, also praised CCM’s mission. “We appreciate the college as a local organization that serves this county and this state very well,” he said. “When we heard about the vision behind this building and programs, we were all in.”
“This Center represents a powerful investment in people and in the future of Morris County,” said Paul Licitra, chair of the CCM Board of Trustees. “Here at CCM, students will gain the skills and confidence to become nurses, hygienists, technicians, and healthcare professionals who care for our families, our neighbors, and our community.”
CCM nursing student Jack Hermann shared his gratitude for the project and for the support he’s received from the CCM Foundation. “CCM finds the best of the best,” Hermann said. “It has helped me in more ways than I can explain and has allowed me to continue to pursue my dream of helping people… and is affordable for anyone pursuing their passion.”
CCM’s capital campaign is underway to help equip the new center with cutting-edge technology. The college said the facility will stand as a cornerstone of its mission to “create healthier communities” and strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce.
For more information or to discuss a philanthropic contribution to the Center for Health Professions, contact Kelly Meola, executive director of institutional advancement at the CCM Foundation, at kmeola@ccm.edu or call (973) 328-5058.
