Davidson County Community College

THOMASVILLE — Davidson County Community College and the Davie County Commissioners recently unveiled plans for expanding education opportunities in Davie County.

The announcement came at an gathering of elected officials, representatives from the Golden LEAF Foundation and key Davie County leaders. DCCC President Mary Rittling shared plans to expand the number of programs offered at the former Davie Medical Center-Mocksville location.

“We’re proud of the presence we have in Davie County and grateful for the continual support of all those who see the value of higher education for not only our students but the community as a whole,” said Rittling.

Rittling said that in addition to the college’s central sterile processing and surgical tech programs currently located at the hospital site, DCCC will add these programs: EMT and paramedic, nurse’s aide, practical nursing, associate degree nursing, pharmacy, human services including substance abuse certification, medication aide, home health aide and mammography certification.

The expansion is made possible in part by a $1 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Dan Gerlach, president of the Golden LEAF Foundation, presented the college with the check to commemorate further renovations of the Davie Medical Center site.

Terry Renegar, chairman of the Davie County commissioners, announced the renovated portion of the hospital will be named in honor of Dr. Francis Slate, a longtime resident of Davie County and surgeon for many years at the former hospital.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said Rittling. “With the addition of more health care programs offered in Davie County and in an actual hospital setting, our students will be better prepared to serve their communities in the future.”

Students enrolled in programs will participate in combined simulations as a part of real world and hands-on learning. The college plans to use advanced medical manikins to run multiple health care scenarios that will involve all the programs working together.

The college first began offering classes in Davie County in 1968 and opened its Mocksville campus in 1994. Over time, the campus has grown to include a number of career technical programs, an early college, college transfer, GED and continuing education offerings.

In 2015, through a partnership with Davie County and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the college began using the former Davie Medical Center.