Coming Full Circle
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
By Steve Frederick ◆ Photos by Jessica McCafferty
Clinton Community College’s (CCC) Nursing Program has deep roots in Plattsburgh and at what is now known as University of Vermont Health – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH). That connection, more than a century in the making, came full circle with the relocation of the College’s nursing and EMT skills labs to CVPH’s Medical Office Building East at 206 Cornelia Street.
While CCC’s nursing classrooms, faculty offices, and student support spaces are now housed at the college’s new main campus at 46 Beekman Street, the hands-on clinical skills labs sit just a six-minute walk up the street. This intentional proximity reflects both logistics and educational philosophy: nursing and emergency medical training are experiential disciplines best learned as close as possible to real-world healthcare environments.
A Legacy Rooted in Healthcare
CCC’s nursing story began long before the Bluff Point campus or the Beekman Street location. In 1910, the Grey Nuns of Champlain Valley Hospital established a school of nursing on Rugar Street, with classes held in Champlain Valley Hall, now part of the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. The program’s first graduating class —eight students — completed their studies in 1913.
As healthcare delivery and education evolved, so did the nursing program. Administration transitioned to lay leadership in the 1960s, followed by the 1967 merger of Champlain Valley Hospital and Physician’s Hospital to form CVPH Medical Center. In 1969, the nursing school relocated to the CVPH campus and soon after entered into a cooperative agreement with the newly formed Clinton Community College, allowing students to earn college credit while completing hospital-based training.
In 1977, the program officially transferred to Clinton Community College. Since then, CCC has graduated nearly 1,500 nurses, with approximately 70 percent living and working within an hour of Plattsburgh — an extraordinary return on investment for the North Country’s healthcare system.
A Campus Move Creates a New Challenge
The summer of 2025 marked a major transition for Clinton Community College with the relocation of its main campus from Bluff Point to Beekman Street. While the Moore Building offered modern classrooms and student spaces, it quickly became clear that the nursing and EMT skills labs posed a unique challenge.
Unlike traditional classrooms, skills labs must accommodate hospital — grade equipment, extensive storage, and sophisticated patient simulation technology. CCC’s nursing and EMT labs include life-like, computer-controlled mannequins capable of simulating cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, childbirth, and mental health crises, while meeting stringent New York State training requirements.
The College’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) programs — offered at both the basic and advanced levels – require similarly flexible, scenario-based spaces. Finding one location that could support both programs without compromising quality or compliance was no small task.
“Healthcare is both a strong traditional program for the College and a key to growth for our future,” said Ken Knelly, acting president of Clinton Community College. “The right space and the right opportunity was found at the hospital, thanks to the commitment of CVPH and our community partners.”
A Natural Fit
The solution ultimately brought the program back to familiar ground. CVPH provided space that could be purpose-built for healthcare simulation while reinforcing its long-standing partnership with the college.
Located on the third floor of the Medical Office Building East, the new nursing and EMT skills labs encompass approximately 5,500 square feet across 22 rooms. The suite includes state-of-the-art simulation patients, a newborn nursery, medication rooms, a mental health training space, laundry facilities, classrooms, a conference room, a virtual reality classroom, and extensive storage.
“This space was created over a matter of months, with CVPH leadership managing many details and funding,” Knelly said. “That support included the Clinton County IDA, the county capital fund for the college, and a matching investment from the State University of New York.”
The close proximity to CCC’s Beekman Street campus allows students to move seamlessly between lecture and lab, while the hospital setting reinforces professional expectations and clinical context.
“This move to CVPH really brings things full circle for us,” said Niki Rivers, director of nursing at Clinton Community College. “Our partnership has always been central to how we prepare students, and having our skills labs in the hospital environment just makes sense. It gives students a more realistic setting to learn, practice, and grow into their roles, while continuing to strengthen the connection between the college and the region’s healthcare system. It’s a meaningful way to support both our students and the growing healthcare needs of our community.”
Meeting a Growing Workforce Need
The relocation of the skills labs occurred at a critical time for the North Country. Rural regions across Northern New York continue to face a shortage of registered nurses and emergency medical professionals, driven by an aging population, workforce retirements, and rising demand for care.
Healthcare systems rely heavily on locally trained professionals — individuals who are more likely to remain in the region and serve their communities. CCC’s Nursing and EMT Programs play a vital role in sustaining that workforce pipeline.
“We have a long history of working with exceptional educational institutions like CCC to ensure that our region continues to have a highly trained and plentiful healthcare workforce,” said Michelle LeBeau, president and CEO of CVPH. “This collaborative effort provides people in our organization and throughout the North Country with opportunities for professional growth and career enhancement, while helping us adapt to the realities of an ever-changing industry and continue delivering the care our communities need.”
Preparing Students for Real-World Practice
For students, the move represented far more than a change of address. Training in a facility connected directly to a hospital enhanced realism, professionalism, and confidence.
“Having a space to learn in the hospital where we have clinicals really enhances learning,” said CCC nursing student Emily Girard. “We can practice skills in our ward-style lab and gain the competence and dexterity required before we perform on real patients.”
“Our state-of-the-art sim lab allows us to experience potential scenarios in a controlled learning environment,” Girard added. “The addition of separate medication and supply rooms truly makes it feel like a real hospital floor.”
Looking Ahead
As Clinton Community College continues to invest in healthcare education, the relocation of the nursing and EMT skills labs stands as a clear example of thoughtful adaptation rooted in history, partnership, and regional need.
Clinton Community College
46 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Comments