PBSC welcomes Florida’s Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell to Loxahatchee Groves

 

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Palm Beach State College welcomed Kevin O’Farrell, chancellor for career, technical and adult education at Florida’s Department of Education to the Loxahatchee Groves campus.  O’Farrell, a Palm Beach County native, was given a tour of the new Dental & Medical Services Technology Building currently under construction.

When the 83,500 square foot, four story, Dental & Medical Services Technology Building is complete in February 2025, it will be home to a fully equipped dental clinic, a surgical technology suite, and science labs that incorporate cutting-edge equipment and technology for students pursuing careers as dental hygienists, dental assistants, surgical technologists and other health care occupations.

“I’m incredibly impressed by the scope of the project and its ambitious use of cutting-edge use of technology which will really benefit students,” said O’Farrell, who was accompanied by President Ava L. Parker, Executive Dean, Kimberly Lancaster and Health and Medical Innovations Director Ed Willey.

O’Farrell got an up-close look at the building’s cutting-edge laboratories. A particular highlight of the tour was getting to see the Anatomage table, the highly advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection system for anatomy and physiology education, in action.  PBSC science professor  Dr. Vetaley Stashenko demonstrated how it enables students to visualize any organ in detail from a CT scan instead of an actual physical cadaver.  Students are then able to print out a 3D structure of the organ offering an unprecedented level of real anatomical accuracy. “It is so important for our students to not only visualize anatomy, but it is the ability to touch it that really brings learning to life,” Stashenko said.

O’Farrell shared in PBSC’s excitement for the new facilities at Loxahatchee Groves. “The fact that students have access to these kinds of innovative resources is what really will make the difference in their education,” O’Farrell said.

Learn more information about our health sciences programs