County College of Morris expands the campus footprint with a new cutting-edge learning center to support the healthcare industry

RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – County College of Morris (CCM) is thrilled about the forthcoming 70,000 square–foot, state-of-the-art Center for Health Professions.

A press conference confirming “Healthy Communities Start Here” was held Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center at CCM.

As a pioneering institution, CCM plans to provide students with classrooms and labs designed with a fully integrated learning environment resembling today’s leading medical centers. Renowned for its commitment to shaping the future of education and producing a highly educated workforce, the college is expanding its healthcare programs to include dental hygiene, dental assisting, surgical technology, diagnostic medical sonography and medical assisting, with wants to grow current programs in nursing, radiography, respiratory therapy, paramedic science and drug counseling.

Adding the Center for Health Professions to the CCM campus will support the healthcare industry in Morris County and the surrounding region, which post-pandemic is essential.

“We are proud to take this important step towards furthering educational excellence and partnerships with the community,” says Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President of CCM. “The new cutting-edge healthcare facility will serve as a hub for innovation, where students can gain a world-class education that empowers them to excel in their chosen medical careers. We get things done in New Jersey and in Morris County,” Iacono said. “And we do even greater things with partnerships to create the best teaching and learning environments.”

Iacono thanked New Jersey’s Legislature, especially the leadership of Senator Joseph Pennacchio, Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Senator Steven V. Oroho, and Governor Phil Murphy, in addition to Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus and his team, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and the numerous members from the medical and dental industries in attendance at the event.

According to Senator Anthony M. Bucco, “The beauty of this program is being able to provide access to an area of education that many students may not have, and where there is a demand for these jobs.”

“The students who come to CCM will have a range of options,” said County Commissioner Director John Krickus, who also reported that Morris County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

Morristown Medical Center (MMC) has a thriving summer internship program. “The number of interns we hire from CCM ranks in the Top 10,” said Joseph D’Auria, COO, Morristown Medical Center. “In the medical center, you will see nursing students and, as a system, we hired 45 nurses this year alone who are graduates of CCM.”

Ultimately, the Center for Health Professions will enable CCM to continue helping fulfill the national shortage of healthcare workers.

D’Auria shared MMC also hires CCM graduates from the respiratory therapy, radiology, paramedic science, health and exercise science, and health science programs.

“You’re supplying us with a lot of labor,” said D’Auria, “and we are truly grateful.”

The dental workforce shortage in America has reached epidemic proportions, according to Dr. Renee Arace, President of the New Jersey Dental Association.

“Now, thanks to CCM, it is being addressed here and now,” said Arace, “According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, nearly 40% of dentists in America are actively recruiting for dental hygienists or dental assistants…CCM will be a model for others to follow and we are grateful for this.”

“There is a lot of conflict now whether a college degree is even worth it,” said Senator Joseph Pennacchio. “Some of these kids are spending a quarter of a million dollars to get a degree…these kids, all in $12,000, becoming a dental hygienist, coming out making a $100,000 a year and they will have no shortness of opportunities. There is a need state-wide for these types of programs and I hope this becomes an incubator.”

“CCM has been paramount in preparing the health professionals in Morris County,” says Maria Isaza, Dean of the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences. “The new building will enhance our capacity and will allow us to meet the growing demand for employees in the medical field. Most importantly, our students will have meaningful and rewarding careers that impact their lives and our community.”

“As current and additional healthcare careers emerge in our rapidly changing environment,” says Iacono, “CCM works hard to ensure faculty and students have a superior teaching and learning environment that results in high-quality education, leading to exceptional careers in healthcare. Today’s students are tomorrow’s healthcare heroes. The college embraces the opportunity to supply healthcare professionals to industry and the community it serves. Healthy communities do start here at CCM.”