Bluefield State University Will Receive $7.145 Million CDS Award

Funding Supports BSU College of Health Sciences Training Facility at Med. Education Center

Bluefield State University will receive a $7.145 million Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award to support the creation of a state-of-the-art healthcare training facility at the BSU Medical Education Center (MEC).  The Fiscal Year 2024 CDS request was submitted by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Joe Manchin, and Congresswoman Carol Miller.

“Bluefield State has been an educational cornerstone in southern West Virginia for generations,” Senator Capito said. “As the leading Republican on the subcommittee that funds these programs, I’m pleased to help secure the support they need to create a new healthcare training facility. I will continue to use my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to work with entities across West Virginia to understand the needs they have to make the necessary improvements to benefit our state, especially our students.”  

“Bluefield State is extremely grateful for the support of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation,” noted Dr. Darrin Martin, BSU’s Interim President.  “This positions the University’s College of Health Sciences to train more healthcare professionals who can address this healthcare access gap in the region, where residents often face a shortage of healthcare professionals and limited access to healthcare facilities.”  

The award will be utilized to create two wings at the MEC, expanding classrooms, laboratory space, and offices for the BSU College of Health Sciences.  Bluefield State now offers programs in health care administration, education, imaging science, radiologic technology, sonography, and nursing.  This training facility also creates the opportunity to offer additional healthcare programs.

“As a Historically Black University and a STEM University, BSU is uniquely qualified to provide these vitally important educational training and postgraduate employment opportunities for West Virginians,” Interim President Martin observed.