HACC President Edna V. Baehre, Ed.D, accepted a $45,000 donation from Commerce Bank to help build the Select Medical Health Education Pavilion on the college's Harrisburg Campus on One HACC Drive in Harrisburg. Commerce Bank Chairman, President and CEO Gary L. Nalbandian presented the check to Dr. Baehre during a press conference held at the construction site of the $10 million Select Medical Health Education Pavilion.
The pavilion will house the college's health career programs including the nursing program, respiratory therapy and dental assisting and technician programs. It will also be home to the college's nursing assistants training and EMT/Paramedic programs.
"Commerce Bank is a leader in this community, and we're pleased that they recognize the importance of health care in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Baehre said. "Commerce has recognized HACC as one of the most important providers of skilled health care professionals in the region. What's more, they understand the need for even more nurses and other health care professionals in our region."
Nalbandian, who was joined at the presentation by Commerce Bank associates Cleve Corner, chief government banking officer, and Audrey Hanna, vice president, government banking, said Commerce Bank was proud to make the donation.
"Quality health care and quality education are fundamental to a good quality of life," he said. "That is why Commerce Bank is doubly proud to support the Select Medical Health Education Pavilion. When completed, this impressive facility will address the growing demand for skilled health care professionals. It will help ensure that health care providers have the staff necessary to meet our community's medical needs. Commerce is pleased to play a part in making this critical educational resource a reality."
The Select Medical Health Education Pavilion, which was designed by L. Robert Kimball and Associates Architects of Harrisburg, will include microbiology and chemistry labs, a specialized training center for nursing and respiratory therapy, as well as the college's dental hygiene clinic.
Designed to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, the pavilion is expected to earn a Gold rating once it becomes occupied. The LEED program is the leading-edge system for designing, constructing and certifying the world's greenest and best buildings. Completion of the pavilion is expected in time for the start of the fall 2005 semester.
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, "America's Most Convenient Bank," opened its first office in Camp Hill, PA, in June of 1985. In the 20 years since, the bank has cultivated a unique retail model that has produced continuous strong growth. The bank has doubled its number of branches in Pennsylvania in recent years, growing a network of 24 stores in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties.
Commerce's hallmark products and services include seven-day branch banking, totally free checking, no-fee instant-issue ATM/Visa check card, free interactive Penny Arcade coin-counting machines, free online banking and 24/7 Bank-by-Phone.
In addition to retail banking, Commerce offers a diverse portfolio of commercial banking services including installment and term loans, commercial mortgages, commercial leasing and lines of credit, and cash management services.
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg currently has assets exceeding $1.3 billion. For more information about Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, visit the bank's web site at commercepc.com.
HACC has nearly 15,500 degree-seeking students at its four campuses in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Lebanon and locations in York. In addition, the college educates more than 50 thousand students in its noncredit and workforce development courses annually. More information is online at: