Tarleton State University recently broke ground on the Health Professions Building, for which Vaughn serves as construction manager-at-risk. The 92,000 SF building, located adjacent to the Nursing Building, will further establish the university as a leader of rural healthcare throughout the state.
The university plans to add three new degree programs in conjunction with the new facility, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies. Specialized laboratory space and public clinics will allow students to gain important hands-on experience in these areas. The new degree options join existing programs in kinesiology, nutrition science, social work, public health, athletic training, and communication sciences and disorders.
“It’s good to be back in Stephenville for yet another groundbreaking,” A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said. “Texas A&M System Regents are committed to making Tarleton into one of the state’s finest public universities.”
Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population calls rural communities home, with these areas facing significant shortages of physicians and specialists. In Stephenville, the patient-physician ratio is 1,779 to one.
The building is slated to reach substantial completion in November 2025.