Polk State’s Simulation Hospital to Build Healthcare Workforce Pipeline
by REBEKAH PIERCE
November 21 marked a historic milestone for Polk State College as community leaders, officials, and educators gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the College’s newest location—the Haines City-Davenport campus.
This 75,000-square-foot facility will house, among other things, Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital.
The $51 million project promises to bring higher education opportunities closer to thousands of Central Florida residents while addressing workforce shortages through innovative training programs.
A Vision Many Years in the Making
The vision for this campus began as far back as 2006, when Polk State identified the need to expand its footprint in the rapidly growing region of Haines City and Davenport.
“Within a 10-mile radius of the [site], there are 80,000 residents with a high school diploma or some college, but no degree,” says Polk State President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti. “The demand for highly skilled healthcare professionals continues to grow in Polk County.”
With a particularly elevated demand for occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants, respiratory therapists, and diagnostic medical sonographers, the timing of the expansion for Polk State (which offers many of these in-demand healthcare programs) couldn’t have been better.
By 2009, the college had secured the nearly 8-acre site, strategically located on U.S. 27. Fast forward to 2025, and years of strategic planning, funding efforts, and community partnerships have culminated in this milestone.
Construction is slated for early 2025, and the campus is projected to open its doors in the fall of 2026. Once completed, the state-of-the-art facility will become Polk State’s eighth location and a launchpad for education and workforce training in the area.
Falconetti highlighted the importance of this project, saying, “Polk State’s interdisciplinary simulation hospital will redefine the future of healthcare education, establishing itself as a model within Central Florida and beyond. As the first of its kind in the region’s public higher education sector, it will serve as a beacon of innovation and excellence, bringing world-class healthcare training closer to home for thousands of residents.”
Key Features of the Campus and Simulation Hospital
At the heart of the campus will be the interdisciplinary simulation hospital, the first of its kind in Central Florida. Designed to replicate a real-world hospital setting, this cutting-edge facility will include dedicated spaces for triage, pediatrics, obstetrics, adult care, and a nurses’ station, as well as an observation/control room, according to Dean of Health Sciences Beth Luckett.
The simulation hospital will bring together students from disciplines such as nursing, cardiovascular technology, emergency medical services, and radiography. They’ll train collaboratively in state-of-the-art environments, working as interdisciplinary teams, just as they would in real healthcare settings.
“This immersive training experience will better prepare students for the workforce, as they leave programs with the practical skills and interdisciplinary teamwork experience that employers seek in healthcare professionals,” Luckett emphasizes.
And while health sciences may be the centerpiece, the new campus will cater to other educational needs as well. Other program offerings include those in hospitality and tourism management, supply chain and logistics, teacher education, and general Associate in Arts courses.
The campus will also feature nine high-technology classrooms, an anatomy and physiology lab, and an augmented reality/virtual reality lab.
“Augmented and virtual realities expand training opportunities for students by providing simulated and immersive experiences that are not necessarily limited by space or time. The College’s Radiography Program, for example, has embraced technology and equipment that allow students to supplement their X-ray training and/or practice at home,” Luckett says.
The Future of Education, Built Today
“With approximately 70% of Polk State students remaining in Polk County after graduation, the College is proud to train the local workforce.” Falconetti says.
The college isn’t just educating students, it is directly building the local workforce pipeline.
Through partnerships with leading healthcare providers like AdventHealth, BayCare, and Lakeland Regional Health, this initiative will help bridge existing workforce gaps by aligning training with real-world demands and industry standards.
These partnerships — and the new facility — will improve Polk State’s already stellar reputation for producing outstanding graduates.
“Polk State graduates continuously exceed state and national licensure pass rates in disciplines including Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography, and Respiratory Care, which all boast 100% pass rates,” Falconetti says.
The campus is also poised to provide opportunities for high school students in the area. Currently, approximately 1,800 students graduate annually from nearby schools. Now, they’ll have direct access to higher education and workforce training, reducing barriers to entry for local families.
Ultimately, however, a primary goal of the simulation hospital is, “to remain nimble to the needs of its healthcare partners and continuing education for professionals,” says Falconetti. With Polk State’s small class sizes, affordable tuition, and vibrant student life, it’s in a great position to do just that.
In a press release, Haines City Mayor Omar Arroyo emphasized the facility’s importance, sharing, “Polk State College represents not only bricks and mortar, but a promise to students, to our families, and to future generations, to empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”