Ivy Tech and HealthLinc unveil groundbreaking Michigan City medical training facility at ribbon cutting ceremony

On Thursday, August 28, Ivy Tech Community College held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new facility on the third floor of HealthLinc’s Medical Office Building (MOB) in Michigan City. Ivy Tech students enrolled in medical assisting, certified nursing assistant programs and anatomy and physiology classes will be able to pursue their studies at this new facility.  

“This is truly an exciting time for Ivy Tech,” said Ivy Tech Valparaiso Chancellor Aco Sikoski. “Today, we celebrate the contributions of the many individuals who put so much effort into this project. The healthcare industry is the largest employer in Northwest Indiana, and we at Ivy Tech are committed to offering programs that align with local workforce needs. We believe that this location will offer students an outstanding college experience that will provide them with the high-level healthcare credentials they need.” 

This facility represents a significant investment in Michigan City and reaffirms Ivy Tech’s commitment to promoting education and prosperity in the Region. Ivy Tech administration members, faculty, and staff joined HealthLinc representatives for the momentous ceremony. 

“This is a stark sign of progress for Ivy Tech and our students,” Ivy Tech President Marty Pollio said. “It demonstrates to our students that the institution cares about them and is investing in their education. Ivy Tech, HealthLinc, and the community of Michigan City have invested in this area’s students, and I think that says a lot. I view Ivy Tech as the workforce engine of this state, and I think Hoosiers should be very proud to have this fine institution in Indiana.” 

The Ivy Tech space features several large classrooms, administrative offices, an anatomy and physiology lab, and a computer lab. It also has several exam rooms where students can get hands-on medical training. 

“This might simply look like two organizations are cohabitating together at first glance. However, that is not the case. It is a partnership and a collaboration,” HealthLinc CEO Melissa Mitchell said. “By partnering with Ivy Tech, we at HealthLinc are able to combine our resources with theirs and lend our expertise to create a truly exceptional program at this facility. This will ultimately strengthen their education and build a strong, ready-to-serve pool of healthcare professionals for the entire Region.” 
 
The plan has been to develop Ivy Tech’s presence in Michigan City for several years. Sikoski and his cabinet have been working on the Michigan City facility project, which they inherited from the previous administration, since 2019. Ivy Tech Valparaiso Board of Trustees Member Beth Wrobel played an instrumental role in the planning and execution of this initiative. In the future, the old Ivy Tech Michigan City building will be torn down and, once funding is available, the College will build a new facility on the site, heralding even more opportunity for Ivy Tech’s growth. 

“This project has been about people cooperating for the greater good,” Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees member Stewart McMillan said. “It was a collaborative effort on all levels. In my 14 years as an Ivy Tech trustee, I’ve seen that Ivy Tech will reach down, bring people up from very desperate situations, and give them careers that they would never have dreamed of having. This project has been a huge step into the future.” 

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch expressed her pleasure at seeing this long-awaited project come to fruition. Nelson Deuitch’s children earned college credits from Ivy Tech, and she herself is the daughter of an Ivy Tech graduate. She also taught as a senior adjunct professor for Ivy Tech in Michigan City. 

“Ivy Tech means a lot to me and my family,” Nelson Deuitch said. “I also recognize the value that Ivy Tech brings to our community. This event is a celebration of the fact that everybody involved understood that this project was not just important for Michigan City, but La Porte County as a whole. We are focused on promoting workforce development here in Michigan City, and Ivy Tech has been the cornerstone of that for us. I believe the premier program that is offered at this location will do much to support our efforts.” 

If you would like to learn more about Ivy Tech Community College, its course offerings, and upcoming events, please visit ivytech.edu.