Another Michigan university is looking to take advantage of Grand Rapids’ medical mile. The area is known for the growing number of specialty hospitals, medical research facilities, and medical schools located there. Just a few months ago, Michigan State University opened a brand new skyscraper in Grand Rapids – a new home for its College of Human Medicine.
Now Ferris State University has taken a smaller step. The board of trustees authorized the purchase of office space on the medical mile. The space is for students in their 3rd and 4th years of Ferris’ doctor of pharmacy program. Sandy Gholston is with the Big Rapids’ based university. “Right now our students are kind of spread out, the 3rd and 4th year students, and this is going to give them the opportunity to be consolidated in one area. And it’s going to be a great area down there on the medical mile,” Gholston said.
“Having Ferris students down there working on their doctor of pharmacy degrees, we think it’s going to be important not only for them, as far as the educational process. But also it’s going to be important for Grand Rapids in terms of the medical mile and the presence that they’re having as far as the medical business. It’s just going to be a win-win situation.”
Gholston says the university is still negotiating on an exact location. He expects an announcement on that will come in the ‘next month or so.’
Michigan’s legislature has already approved the capital outlay budget of a $6.6 million for the project.
Ferris hopes to have classroom space ready by the 2011 fall semester.
