St. James Place is proud to announce a transformational $375,000 gift to Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) and the BRCC Foundation in support of the new BRCC | Our Lady of the Lake Nursing & Allied Health Building – a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals in Louisiana.
As part of this investment, St. James Place has secured naming rights to the Assisted Living Apartment within the Nursing & Allied Health Building. This innovative simulation space is designed to replicate the environment and care practices found in real-world assisted living communities, providing students with hands-on experience in compassionate senior care.
The newly named St. James Place Assisted Living Apartment will allow students to train in a setting that mirrors the daily realities of caring for older adults. From clinical procedures to interpersonal care, the immersive environment will help students develop the practical skills and empathy necessary to thrive in today’s healthcare workforce recognizable to residents, visitors, and team members.
In addition to the simulation space, the gift establishes The St. James Place Scholars: Nursing & Allied Health Workforce Scholarship Fund, which will directly support student access and success within BRCC’s Nursing & Allied Health programs.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Louisiana’s healthcare workforce,” said Dick Wager, President and CEO of St. James Place. “We are incredibly impressed with BRCC’s leadership, educational quality and dedication to workforce development. The Our Lady of the Lake Nursing & Allied Health Building represents a major investment in the future of healthcare, and we are honored to play a role in helping students prepare for meaningful careers in this field.”
The partnership extends beyond financial support. St. James Place will also help furnish and decorate the Assisted Living Apartment using its expertise in resident-centered living and interior design. The goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment that reflects the same comfort, dignity and sense of home experienced by residents at St. James Place.
By incorporating authentic assisted living aesthetics and care-centered design into the educational space, students will gain a deeper understanding of how environment and compassion contribute to quality senior care.
BRCC Chancellor Willie E. Smith, Sr. praised the partnership as a powerful example of collaboration between education and industry.
“The generosity and commitment of St. James Place will help ensure that our students receive not only advanced technical training but also experience the level of excellence and dignity that define quality senior care,” Smith said. “This partnership further strengthens BRCC’s mission to address healthcare workforce shortages in the Capital Region.”
As the only Life Plan Community in Baton Rouge, St. James Place has long been committed to promoting active, successful aging while providing residents with a vibrant lifestyle, beautiful spaces and access to a full continuum of care. Through this partnership with Baton Rouge Community College, St. James Place is helping shape the future of healthcare education while investing in the caregivers who will serve the Baton Rouge community for generations to come.
