With the announcement of an expansion of its Dallas campus, The College of Health Care Professions has welcomed Mark Garland as the new campus president.

Garland’s career has spanned nearly three decades in higher education, from the classroom to overseeing many campuses, CHCP said. Before joining CHCP, Garland was president of the Davenport campus at Kaplan University, as well as the Las Vegas and Los Angeles locations at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.

The expansion of the Dallas campus at 8585 N. Stemmons Freeway, encompasses a total of 27,000 square feet, featuring classrooms and labs that mimic the healthcare work setting. The school also is launching two new certification programs in surgical technology and pharmacy technician, which were developed in partnership with regional employers.

The expanded campus and new programs come as healthcare labor shortages are rising across the country, the school said.

Almost one out of every 10 hospitals in Texas is at risk of closing due to staff shortages, according to the Texas Hospital Association, and 40 percent of Texas counties’ primary care needs are not being met.

“This is about preparing talented, well-prepared healthcare professionals as workforce needs constantly change but stay in-demand,” Amy Powell, E3 program co-director at Texas Healthcare Neck & Back, said in a statement. “Our externship partnership with CHCP has demonstrated the potential of quality education and the opportunity to our pipeline of staff. We are excited to continue our partnership with CHCP as they launch their new Surgical Technology and Pharmacy Technician programs.”

CHCP’s Surgical Technology Program is designed to prepare learners for entry-level employment as a competent surgical technologist within 80 weeks, the school said.

Once the program is completed, students will have 896 clinical hours in an operating room setting with a minimum of 120 cases of experience.

The Pharmacy Technician Program will allow learners to enter entry-level employment within 36 weeks, CHCP said. At the time of completion, students will have 180 hours in a work setting.

“Providing meaningful career pathways for our learners relies on a continued conversation with employers and working together to design programs that meet the needs of today’s workforce,” CEO and Chancellor Eric Bing said in a statement. “Through working together, we can further put deserving learners first to both help them succeed while also providing quality and needed care for the Dallas Community.”

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