Health professionals from the medical community used silver shovels to break ground with Berry College educators Friday for Morgan-Bailey Hall, the college’s new home for nursing and physician associate students in 2025.
The building is named in honor of two Atlanta sisters known for their philanthropy and business acumen: Dr. Audrey B. Morgan and (the late) Dr. Bobbie Bailey. Their foundation provided the lead gift of $6 million in 2023, as well as an endowed scholarship fund of $5 million for nursing students.
Berry’s President Steve Briggs encouraged everyone “to celebrate the promise of the new building, but more importantly, applaud and commend the efforts of the many people who are making this possible.”
He added that “great programs need great places and that’s what this is about. Success in today’s health care environment requires rigorous science-based education coupled with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and dedication to meeting the needs of others. These qualities align perfectly with Berry’s signature education of the head, heart and hands.”
Slated for completion in 2025, the 36,000-square-feet of academic space will include simulation suites, skills and physical assessment labs, active learning classrooms as well as mock operating and exam rooms. The design of the new building, located near the heart of campus, will create immersive learning experiences that combine practical skills with traditional education.
In addition to the previous funds raised for the health sciences building, two more generous gifts were announced Friday for a total of $28.8 million.
An anonymous graduate of Berry contributed $1 million, and the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation made a gift of $2 million, commenting: “We are excited to contribute to help further Berry College’s goal of developing and expanding its nursing and physician associate program by providing a top-notch facility for aspiring healthcare professionals; ultimately benefiting the community and the healthcare industry as a whole.
The estimated cost of the building is $33.4 million. Top earlier commitments included $5 million from the Bryson Foundation, $2 million from the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and $1 million each from Randy and Nancy Berry, Larry and Mary Montgomery and additional anonymous supporters.
Atrium Floyd President Kurt Stunkel spoke of the Foundation’s commitment to address pressing health care needs and disparities in our region. The forthcoming physician associate program will emphasize rural health medicine and is the first of its kind in Northwest Georgia. Berry educators aim to recruit PAs with a specific interest in the region.
Partnerships with two area hospitals and the largest private medical clinic in Georgia allow students clinical opportunities, externships and mentors. The growing nursing program has plans to double the number of graduates in the next five years.
Berry’s new two-year Master of Medical Science – physician associate (PA) degree (scheduled to begin pending accreditation, in August 2025) will enroll up to 40 new students every year.
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