The ceremonial construction topping-off, which is the placement of the final steel beam, for construction of Lehigh Valley Health Network Center for Healthcare Education, 3900 Sierra Circle, Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township, took place Jan. 11.

The Center for Healthcare Education will become the home of LVHN’s Department of Education for training programs for the network.

Features include:

• A new state-of-the-art simulation center

• A full-size training operating room

• All rooms will have plug-and-play capability for learners and ability to broadcast to other sites.

• Increased classroom size and flexibility

• A reception area, a dedicated food services area, a dining and event area, a 150-person auditorium and large computer labs and storage areas

“As we celebrate this milestone, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to many who have contributed to the success of this construction,” said Michael A. Rossi, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. “Thank you to our colleagues for their dedication to our education mission and commitment to improve patient care.”

Rossi also thanked BDA Architects, Boyle Construction and Peron Development for their work on the project, LVHN board of trustees and the network’s partners in Upper Saucon Township.

The facility will consolidate three Department of Education sites into one, 70,000 square-foot location for education, administration, and support services.

“Peron Development is excited to work with Lehigh Valley Health Network on the development and construction of the Department of Education building,” said Rob de Beer, Director of Development, Peron Development.

Rossi said the health network expects to complete construction in late 2022, and to open the building in early 2023.

Robert Barraco, MD, LVHN’s Chief Academic Officer, said the department of education is also home to the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill.

Barraco said LVHN’s department of education supports 1,200 medical, nursing and other students, and 340 residents and fellows. The department has provided 190,000 instructional hours of professional development and distributed more than one million health sheets and 250,000 patient education resources.

“This new facility will add to or significantly improve many areas of the existing facilities LVHN uses for colleague and student education,” Barraco said.