FROM CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Central Alabama Community College School of Nursing is excited to announce it will celebrate its 100th year this coming July. The origin of the program began in 1921 in Sylacauga, Alabama when Dr. F.H. Craddock founded the Sylacauga Infirmary. At the time, the Infirmary was one of the top and most modern small infirmaries in the state. On the cutting edge of medicine, the Infirmary housed a fully functional operating room, x-ray facilities, and had a capacity to house up to 50 patients.
In connection with the Sylacauga Infirmary, there was also a training school established for nurses that was approved by the American College of Surgeons. The training school had an impeccable reputation for producing outstanding nurses who moved on to work at institutions throughout the country.
The program transitioned to the modern-day Coosa Valley Medical Center that was built in 1945. The school was reorganized in 1951 and continued to operate as a hospital diploma program until 1994, when CVSN introduced the associate degree of nursing program.
Academic courses for the program were offered by the Alex City State Junior College, beginning in 1972. The Coosa Valley School of Nursing later merged with Central Alabama Community College in a three-phase program that was completed on November 21, 1996. The program then moved into the Jim Preuitt Nursing and Allied Health Building on the Childersburg campus in January 2001.
“For 100 years, Central Alabama Community College has responded to the needs of its community in training one of our country’s most essential employees—nurses,” said Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker.
“Congratulations to the faculty, staff, administrators and students who can be credited with the longevity and success of this program.”
As the everchanging demands of healthcare have shifted, the Coosa Valley School of Nursing has met those challenges. Today, as nursing is offered on both the Childersburg and Alexander City campuses, nursing students from the central and east Alabama areas continue with a rich tradition of excellent nursing education.
“We are excited and honored to celebrate 100 years of nursing here at Central Alabama Community College,” Jeff Lynn, president of CACC stated.
“Healthcare is such a vital part of our society, and the demand for outstanding, qualified nurses and healthcare professionals grows every day. It is very rewarding to know that the Coosa Valley School of Nursing has been a staple of our communities for 100 years. This program has touched numerous lives and continues to produce some of the top nurses in the state.”
On Sunday, July 11th, CACC plans to celebrate the official 100th anniversary of the program.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the storied history of this program,” Dr. Jennifer Steele, Director of Nursing at CACC said.
“100 years is a milestone and credit goes to all who have been involved since the beginning in making sure this program was and remains one of the top programs in the state.”
For additional information please contact Brett Pritchard at bpritchard@cacc.edu or 256-215-4254
