By Joshua Knopp/managing editor

If TR Campus students see an unfamiliar building on their schedule and can’t find it, it’s probably because it’s two blocks east on the new TR East Campus, which officially opened Aug. 23.

TREC was originally designed to be a community center but was re-purposed specifically for TCC’s nursing and allied health programs, TR Campus president Tahita Fulkerson said.

“These students in Trinity River East Campus will allow us to help the healthcare programs of Tarrant County,” she said. “John Peter Smith [Hospital in Fort Worth], for example, has more than 20 graduates of our nursing and health care programs, so we prepare students for jobs in Tarrant County.”

This is the first time the college has had both the nursing and allied health programs in the same place. Nursing was previously based on South while allied health was based on NE.

Princess Jackson directs the long-term care branch of the allied health department. The department also contains respiratory care, radiology technology, surgical technology, physical therapy assistant and health information technology programs. Jackson is excited that the programs will be so close with nursing.

“That has been very helpful,” she said.

Jackson said that the proximity will assist with collaboration, such as with a nursing teacher with a specialized interest in geriatric care, which overlaps with the long-term care department.

Interim nursing director Deanne Mitchell is also glad the two programs will work together.

“There’s a synergy between the groups. As they work together, it increases patient safety and patient care,” she said. “It’s a huge benefit.”

As far as the campuses that the programs were taken from, Mitchell, who moved from South Campus, doesn’t think they will be affected negatively.

The South Campus math department has “taken the opportunity to expand,” she said. “I believe students will continue to take science and other prerequisites on the campus.”