The new Idaho State University Health Science Center expects to serve more than 700 students this fall

The new Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center expects to serve a record number of students this fall with some 500 students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate health science programs.

ISU-Meridian will serve an additional 200 students through the University’s dual enrollment program for high school students and through specialized training programs for working professionals, according to Bessie Katsilometes, dean of academic programs.

“We are thrilled to be in our new building and serving the Treasure Valley community,” she said. Classes begin Aug. 25.

Students give their new digs high marks too. “It’s huge!” exclaimed speech-language pathology graduate student Deanna Willis as she walked the corridors during student orientation. “I keep thinking, ‘This is ISU. This is our University,” she said.

Located at Interstate 84 and Locust Grove Road—in the heart of Meridian’s health science, research and technology corridor—ISU-Meridian houses more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral programs in the health professions and sciences, community clinics, and research laboratories.

“The ISU-Meridian Health Science Center will bring the power of advanced education and research to the Treasure Valley as well as address workforce needs in the health professions,” said Katsilometes.

Occupying 41,000 square feet of ISU-Meridian’s second floor is the L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Complex, which bears the name of drug-store entrepreneur and pharmacy education advocate Sam Skaggs.

“We are now able to offer all four years of our pharmacy doctorate to students in the Treasure Valley, helping ease the critical shortage of pharmacists in Idaho and the nation,” said Andrew Gauss, College of Pharmacy spokesman.

In 2011, the Delta Dental of Idaho Dental Residency Clinic is scheduled to open at ISU-Meridian, providing advanced training for dentists and dental care for low-income and underinsured families in the Treasure Valley.

ISU-Meridian shares common areas with Meridian Joint School District No. 2 and the new Renaissance Magnet High School. Students interested in health and medical sciences will have the opportunity to study in ISU labs and specialized training rooms while earning college credit.

Because of the move to Meridian, ISU has closed its Boise campus on Explorer Drive.

To learn more about programs at the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, visit www.isu.edu/meridian or call (208) 373-1700. See more photos of ISU-Meridian at http://www.facebook.com/idahostateu?ref=nf.