Newswise — Upholding its commitment to prepare graduates for careers in the life sciences and health sciences professions, University of the Sciences’ President Helen Giles-Gee will be joined by the University community, local and state lawmakers, as well as Philadelphia residents and organizations, at a ribbon cutting ceremony officially marking the completion of USciences’ Integrated Professional Education Complex (IPEX) on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 1:30 p.m.
“The IPEX is the culmination of strong visionary planning, as well as the efforts of countless people,” said Dr. Giles-Gee. “Our IPEX will serve as one of Pennsylvania’s premier academic facilities designed to educate our future healthcare and science professionals.”
The 57,000-square-foot, three-story building showcases an interprofessional education model that permits students from several disciplines—including physician assistant studies, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise science, psychology, and healthcare business and policy—to obtain traditional and hands-on experience.
This interprofessional education model gives students an opportunity to fully understand its value in their everyday practice and learn the benefits of respectful communication, the application of knowledge and skills, and an understanding of how collaborative teams augment healthcare delivery to improve patient outcomes.
A sleek, modern, and bright building, IPEX combines innovative learning spaces and student lounge space with two simulation labs, a clinical lab, five mock patient exam rooms, and conference rooms. IPEX also houses the new provisionally accredited physician assistant studies graduate professional program, and serves as a hub for students to study, interact, and learn with and from one another.
A green-roof system that emphasizes the University’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, measures 20,000 square feet and will absorb nearly 15,000 gallons of water when fully saturated. The green roof—coupled with the use of a steel super structure made from recycled metal, energy-efficient equipment that will reduce energy costs by approximately 40 percent, and a breaking system on the elevator that recaptures energy— helped USciences earn three Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative. A four Green Globes rating is the highest ranking a building can accomplish.
“USciences has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through the features and systems of the IPEX building,” said Dr. Giles-Gee. “At the end of the day, we wanted to showcase the best final product for both our University community and the environment.”
Visitors to the $26 million building, which is situated near Woodland Avenue at 45th Street, are greeted by a central stairway, which leads them to the common lounge space, lecture halls, and offices located on the second floor. The first floor consists primarily of classrooms, which boast high-tech features such as touch screen visual capabilities, electric projector screens, and wireless audio devices. Financial assistance toward the construction of the IPEX was provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
The project came to fruition under L2Partridge, LLC, a Philadelphia-based architecture firm; as well as several other architects, engineers, landscape artists, planners, estimators, and construction managers. Turner Construction Company, the building’s construction management firm, broke ground for the IPEX on Feb. 11, 2013, with total construction time taking 16 months.
To learn more about the IPEX, visit usciences.edu/IPEX.
At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the science and healthcare-related fields. A private institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation’s first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the science and healthcare marketplaces since its founding in 1821. Students in USciences’ four colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in the lives of people worldwide through such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, chemistry, physician assistant studies, physics, physical and occupational therapy, healthcare business, and health policy. For more information, visit usciences.edu.
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