GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As healthcare continues to evolve, preparing the next generation of caregivers—and ensuring current professionals have access to ongoing education—is more important than ever. Avita Health System is taking another step toward that goal with the opening of its new Education & Training Center at 135 S. Market Street in Galion.
The newly relocated Education Department brings clinical education, workforce development, and professional training together under one roof, creating a centralized space designed to better serve employees, students, emergency responders, and members of the community.
Each year, Avita’s Education Department provides instruction and training for more than 1,600 individuals, including nurses, physicians, EMS professionals, nursing students, allied health learners, and community members. That number is expected to grow as the expanded facility increases access to educational programs and specialized training.
“Our new Education & Training Center allows us to elevate how we train and support our staff in one centralized location,” said Aimee McKenzie, Director of Education Department & Training Center. “Our goal is to provide our staff and community with high-quality education and training where skills are refined and patient outcomes are improved.”
The new location is designed to strengthen clinical skills while helping healthcare professionals stay current with evolving standards of care. By investing in education, Avita is also investing in safer, higher-quality care for patients and families throughout the region.
Among the programs offered at the new center are new employee clinical orientation, annual nursing competencies, continuing education opportunities, and American Heart Association certification courses, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). The facility also supports nursing students and allied health learners completing clinical education while offering off-site training for local schools, businesses, and community organizations.
For Avita employees, many required certifications are available at no cost, helping staff maintain credentials while supporting ongoing professional growth and career advancement.
One of the center’s most significant additions is a high-fidelity simulation lab, made possible in part through funding from the Avita Foundation. The advanced simulation technology allows healthcare teams to practice complex, real-world patient scenarios in a safe, controlled environment before applying those skills in clinical settings.
The Education & Training Center also serves as a continuing education provider, allowing participants to earn continuing education credits through many of its courses.
“This investment goes beyond staff development,” said Jerome Morasko, President and CEO of Avita Health System. “It expands access to life-saving training in the community and reinforces a shared goal: improving health outcomes across the region.”
Beyond improving education opportunities, the relocation reflects Avita’s continued growth and long-term commitment to innovation. The expanded facility strengthens partnerships with area nursing programs, enhances workforce development efforts, and supports recruitment and retention by providing a modern learning environment for healthcare professionals at every stage of their careers.
As demand for skilled healthcare workers continues to rise, investments like the new Education & Training Center help ensure that both current and future caregivers have access to the resources they need to deliver exceptional patient care. For Crawford County and the surrounding communities, that commitment means stronger healthcare today and a better-prepared workforce for tomorrow.