Berry’s strategic emphasis in the health sciences grew ever stronger with two recent milestones: the completion of Morgan-Bailey Hall as a center for experience-rich learning and the concurrent launch of a master’s level physician associate program.
Dedicated in August, the new facility located adjacent to the Cage Center bears the names of lead benefactor Audrey B. Morgan and her late sister, Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey. It features 36,000 square feet of dedicated learning space for PA students and their counterparts in Berry’s baccalaureate nursing program, as well as kinesiology classrooms. The third floor offers a fresh housing alternative for undergraduate students of all majors.
Morgan-Bailey’s design mirrors the environment students will encounter in their future careers. Thus, PA program participants hone patient-interaction techniques in exam room-styled spaces, while aspiring nurses sharpen their skills in a simulated hospital setting. There’s even a mock operating room for practicing scheduled procedures and emergency interventions.
Complementing these hands-on spaces are classrooms, lounges and study areas, all steps away from faculty offices, placing students in close proximity to teachers and mentors.
“The way the spaces are set up makes our experience feel real,” said PA student Kearston Powell (25C, 27g). “It’s exactly the kind of environment we will be working in, and that gets us prepared.
“I knew that we would be spending a lot of time there and was hopeful the building would be a good space to feel comfortable in,” she added. “But it’s become our home away from home.”
Room to grow
Powell is one of six undergraduate alums among the 28 master’s students selected from 162 applicants for the inaugural PA cohort. Classes started last fall following the program’s affirmation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, a crucial step ensuring that graduates will be able to pursue national board certification.
The 24-month PA program is one way in which Berry is prioritizing opportunities in the health sciences at a time when nearly 57 million Americans live in areas without adequate access to primary care. Boasting partnerships with two area hospitals, it will produce licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty, diagnosing, treating illness and disease, and prescribing medication for patients in collaboration with physicians.
Interest in the first-of-its-kind program in Northwest Georgia is significant, with PA Program Director Victoria Galloway reporting that 532 applications had been completed by mid-December for the 34 spots available this fall, a 466% increase compared to 2024 levels.
Nursing is also an area of planned growth. The college is focused on raising nursing program admissions to 80 annually, bringing the total enrolled at one time to 160. Applicants for these slots consist of second-semester Berry sophomores who have completed the pre-nursing curriculum and transfers from other institutions.
Established in 2014 and boasting a 100% licensure exam pass rate for the last three consecutive years along with 100% job placement and employer satisfaction ratings, the nursing program now admits two cohorts per academic year, one each semester.
The pipeline of prospective students drawn to Berry by the opportunity to pursue admission to the program is also strong, noted Nursing Program Director Carolyn Reilly. She added that 625 new-student applications had been received as of mid-December, a 46% increase over the same point in 2024. She expects to enroll 80 to 100, up from 64 last fall.
The influx of nursing students ultimately will lead to an increase in graduates, enabling Berry to further efforts to help stem the nationwide shortage plaguing the health care system. Reaching a threshold of 50 graduates annually might also result in consideration for “best of” lists published by the likes of U.S. News & World Report.
Making it possible
Morgan-Bailey Hall was funded entirely by alumni and friends, who contributed more than $34 million to the project. The outpouring of generosity hailed by President Sandeep Mazumder at the dedication included 11 commitments of $1 million or more by individuals, families and foundations, led by $6 million from Morgan.
In her remarks, the longtime Berry supporter recalled the burst of confidence she felt when first learning about the project from then-President Steve Briggs.
“I waited a few days before calling to tell him the Bailey Foundation wanted to be part of the project, but I made that decision the moment he told me about it,” Morgan enthused. “I know that Berry does it the best. I know that Berry will not only graduate highly competent nurses and PAs, but they’ll have the heart part, too, and will serve with compassionate care.”
