DENTON, TX — In a major move to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers across Texas, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) has officially opened its doors to a state-of-the-art health sciences facility designed to revolutionize how future medical professionals are trained.
Noralyn Pickens, Associate Dean of Interprofessional Education and Strategic Initiatives at TWU, emphasizes that the building’s significance extends far beyond the campus borders. "We are able to educate healthcare providers in under one roof," Pickens said, highlighting the facility's role in producing essential personnel for nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.
The necessity for such a facility is underscored by the pressing need for healthcare workers statewide. Prior to this expansion, TWU was unable to offer physical therapy or nursing programs at the Denton campus. Now, the university is poised to significantly increase its contribution to the workforce.
Cutting-Edge Simulation and "High-Fidelity" Training
At the heart of the new building is the Simulation Center, a high-tech training ground where students can hone their skills in a risk-free environment.
The center features:
Advanced Mannequins: These range from low-fidelity to high-fidelity models integrated with AI, capable of holding realistic conversations with students.
Interprofessional Training: Nursing and therapy students work side-by-side, mimicking real-world clinical environments.
Skill Refinement: "It allows the students to practice their skills before they're practicing them on live people," Pickens explained.
Educating the Educators
Beyond direct patient care, TWU distinguishes itself by "educating the educators." The university's PhD programs across all health sciences ensure that a steady stream of alumni are teaching at other institutions throughout Texas and the nation.
"Every university in the state of Texas has had our alumni teaching other healthcare providers," Pickens noted, reinforcing TWU's standing as a top-tier institution for healthcare education.
Serving the Community Through Specialized Clinics
The new facility also doubles as a community resource, offering a variety of clinical services to the Denton public.
Clinic NameServices ProvidedSpeech-Hearing ClinicSpecialized care for children and families with speech and auditory needs.Marriage and Counseling ClinicSupport services for local families and individuals.Institute for Women’s HealthClinical services focused specifically on women's healthcare.In the future, TWU plans to expand these offerings with a medical service model led by nurse practitioners.
By the Numbers: TWU's Growing Impact
The Denton campus is preparing for a significant increase in its graduating classes:
Total Students: Approximately 16,000 students at TWU, with nearly 50% focused on health-adjacent fields.
Nursing Graduates: Scaling up to 240 graduates per year from the Denton campus alone.
Therapy Programs: Graduating roughly 50 physical therapy, 50 occupational therapy, and up to 60 speech-language pathology students annually.
"Everything is shared," says Pickens of the building’s collaborative design. "They will learn side-by-side with every other profession that they're going to work with in the workforce. That is critical to safe patient care".