Beacon of learning: Trine dedicates Brooks College of Health Professions

FORT WAYNE — Trine University dedicated its largest building project ever, praised by its namesake as “a beacon of learning, innovation and service, and a testament to the power of partnership and philanthropy,” on Friday, Sept. 27.

The new Dr. Earl D. and Melanie N. Brooks College of Health Professions (BCHP) facility welcomed university trustees, officials from Parkview Health and City of Fort Wayne and local media as well as Trine employees and students to christen the $42.5 million crown jewel, built to transform the landscape of healthcare education in northeast Indiana.

“Through innovative academic offerings and hands-on training, the Brooks College of Health Professions is positioned to meet the growing need for healthcare professionals locally, regionally and beyond,” said Trine University President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D.

Developed in close partnership with Parkview Health and located at 12817 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne, the BCHP opened for classes in August.

The new facility both accommodates explosive growth in Trine University’s health professions programs and provides ample space for future expansion.

The university’s Board of Trustees voted in May 2023 to name the facility and the academic department it houses in honor of Dr. Brooks and his wife Melanie, in recognition of their transformational leadership, commitment to excellence and impact.

Many supporters

Dr. Brooks recognized multiple supporters of the BCHP project during the ceremony:

• Parkview Health, represented by Chief Administrative Officer Dena Jacquay and Chief Academic Research Officer Dr. Michael Mirro.
• Rick L. and Vicki L. James and The James Foundation, for whom the Drs. Rick L. and Vicki L. James and The James Foundation Lobby is named.
• The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership for their support through the READI funding initiative.
• Steel Dynamics, Inc. and the SDI Foundation, honored with the Steel Dynamics Foundation, Inc. Student Gathering Spaces.
• Chuck and Lisa Surack, recognized with the Chuck and Lisa Surack Lecture Hall.
• Larry and Judy Reiners, for whom the Dr. Larry and Judy Reiners Library is named.
• The English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, the Edward M. and Mary McCrea Wilson Foundation and the Dr. Louis A. and Anne B. Schneider Foundation, which supported the Gross Anatomy and Cadaver Lab, the Physical Therapy Research Lab and the SIM Center Virtual Reality/Immersive Training Room.
• Stevens-Moon, Skytron, AJ Manufacturing, and MedCore Construction, which provided in-kind donations of equipment.
• The Dekko Foundation, honored with the Dekko Foundation Clinical Skills Lab.
• Ralph and Sheri Trine, who donated landscaping and outdoor artwork.
• Mike and Natalie Axel, recognized with the Mike and Natalie Axel Classroom.
• Keith E. Busse, for whom the Dr. Keith E. Busse Classroom is named.
• William and Barbara Dubois, honored with the William and Barbara Dubois Pre/Post ER Lab.
• Design Collaborative, recognized with the Design Collaborative Student Lobby.
• The Franklin H. and Ruth L. Wells Foundation, which supported the Franklin H. and Ruth L. Wells Foundation.
• Lynn and Patti Brooks, for whom the Lynn and Patti Brooks Physician Assistant Classroom is named.
• Jeff and Susan Turner, who requested the naming of the Michael and Patti Graham Physician Assistant Classroom in honor of Jeff’s sister and brother-in-law, Michael and Patti Graham.
• The Hayner Foundation, honored with The Hayner Foundation Pediatric Lab.
• Derek and Lynn Reiners, recognized with the Derek and Lynn Reiners Physician Assistant Lab.
• Jason and Megan Stechschulte, for whom the Jason and Megan Stechschulte Physician Assistant/Surgical Technology Lab is named.

Dr. Rick L. James, president of the Trine University Board of Trustees, closed by recognizing Dr. and Mrs. Brooks.

“Together, they have transformed Trine University into a hub of academic excellence and community engagement,” Dr. James said. “It is fitting that their legacy is intertwined with the future of healthcare education in our region.”

“The Brooks College of Health Professions will not only prepare graduates for rewarding careers but will also drive economic growth, create community vitality and ensure that northeast Indiana remains a leader in healthcare and education for decades to come.”

State-of-the-art facility

Offering 110,000 square feet of space, the BCHP offers state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories and features, in partnership with the Parkview Mirro Center, the innovative Parkview Mirro Advanced Medical Simulation Lab (SimCenter), including mock surgery and Emergency Room suites and exam and patient rooms.

Parkview will use the SimCenter and other facilities in the BCHP for training its staff.

The building also contains ample resources for student support, including a library, gathering area, academic support and counseling services.

The facility, which eventually will employ 100 faculty and staff and serve nearly 700 students, is home to Trine’s programs in physical therapy, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy and surgical technology. Additional degree programs are planned.

BCHP programs offer opportunities for health sciences students on Trine’s Angola campus to continue on to graduate school and health professions careers. Several programs offer 3+3 options, which allow Trine students to count their first year of graduate classes toward their undergraduate degree.

The Brooks College of Health Professions began with the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which launched in fall 2014 on the campus of Parkview Randallia Hospital. As Trine added additional academic programs, a larger space was needed.

Trine University purchased an additional 43 acres of land from Parkview Health in September 2023 to continue to grow its health professions programs.