By Clinton Sosna

On May 5, Northwestern Connecticut Community College welcomed the public to an open house at the new Joyner Health Science Center, a two-story, 24,000 square foot facility, housing the school’s Veterinary Technology and Allied Health programs.

The first floor, which includes a surgical suite, hematology lab, x-ray area and kennels as well as classrooms, is designed to provide the Vet Tech student with an immersive experience of working in a veterinary hospital.

Planning began for the Joyner building began in 2008, according to Adriane Cavanna, head of the Veterinary Technology department, when it became clear that the program, which began in 1995, had outgrown its old quarters. “For a long time we were the only one,” said Cavanna.

The Allied Health program, which offers an associate degree in Medical Assisting as well as certificate courses for nurse’s assistants, food service workers and pharmacy technicians, occupies the second floor.

The certificate program, says its coordinator, Heather Cappabianca, “falls under what is considered work force development, which includes working with employers in the area to find out what jobs they need filled in health care.”

Cappabianca’s contacts with local employers help when it comes to job placement and also allow her to keep the program’s curriculum current. The certificate courses often act as a springboard for students into the health care degree options, such as the college‘s competitive nursing program or Allied Health’s Associate in Science degree.

The classrooms, labs and offices on Joyner’s second floor, aside from haaving state-of-the-art technology, are bathed in natural light by a set of large windows that offer some of the town’s most spectacular western views.