Idaho State University begins construction of Treasure Valley Anatomy and Physiology Laboratories

Idaho State University officially broke ground June 24 on The L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs Treasure Valley Anatomy and Physiology Laboratories (TVAPL) at the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, 1311 E. Central Drive.

Idaho State University officially broke ground June 24 on The L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs Treasure Valley Anatomy and Physiology Laboratories (TVAPL) at the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, 1311 E. Central Drive.

“This facility will be the first of its kind in Idaho, ensuring the highest level of health-science education for our students while opening new doors to medical research,” said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas as he and dignitaries donned ceremonial hard hats and turned gravel with gold shovels.

The TVAPL—located in the Health Science Center’s east wing—will include a cadaver laboratory with 12 gurney stations and virtual anatomy and physiology labs totaling 8,000 square feet.  Through distance-learning technology and the Idaho Education Network, ISU will be able to provide anatomy and physiology presentations to high schools across the state.  Lessons could include virtual tours of the human body and sessions in forensics, sports medicine, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. 

Vailas also noted the facility will be open to hospitals, clinics, law enforcement and emergency services agencies for specialized training.  

Scheduled for completion in January, the TVAPL will cost $4 million. In 2013, the Idaho Legislature appropriated $2 million toward construction and ISU secured the remaining portion from private donors, including The ALSAM Foundation, which is the charitable trust of the late Sam Skaggs and his wife Aline.

"A training facility like this one is critical to the education of Idaho's next generation of health professionals.  I’m delighted to see so many in our community step forward with such generous support, especially St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus hospitals and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health,” said Susie Balukoff, co-chair of the TVAPL fundraising campaign and a former ISU Foundation board member.

The other campaign co-chair is physician Tommy Ahlquist, an ISU Foundation board member and chief operating officer of Gardner Company, a commercial real estate firm with offices in Boise.

Mountain Home-based C-2 Construction is the project’s general contractor, and Hummel Architects of Boise is the designer.