Northern Virginia Community College's (NOVA's) Medical Education Campus in Springfield, Va., is celebrating 20+ years of excellence. The only dedicated medical campus in the Virginia Community College System, this innovative institution has trained the region's nurses and healthcare professionals since 2003, making a direct impact on families and the broader community. The MEC has two divisions: Nursing and Health Sciences.
"NOVA's Medical Education Campus is uniquely positioned to transform the lives of our students and advance opportunity in our community," said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA. "For two decades, the MEC has been strengthening the region's healthcare workforce, adding to the quality of life in Northern Virginia and connecting our graduates to life-changing and life-saving careers. I thank President Emeritus Templin for his vision for the MEC and extend my appreciation to all who have supported our healthcare programs and students through the years."
With the MEC opening in 2003, it would take several years for the first students to earn their degrees. In the 20 years since the 2004–05 school year, there have been more than 9,500 graduates in MEC programs and more than 3,100 graduates for the Nursing program alone. Many students have gone on to rewarding careers in healthcare.
Jane Martin is one of the College's nursing students who went on to pursue an amazing career. She was the first student accepted into the College's inaugural nursing class in 1966 and graduated two years later in 1968.
Jane's impressive career spans over 50 years and has led her to different nursing and healthcare roles, including at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the prestigious Lombardi Cancer Center. She attempted to retire but spent another decade in dedicated service to hospice patients in their homes, a challenging but deeply meaningful job she loved. Reflecting on her career, Jane said, "My patients taught me how to live my life!" She has since retired.
MEC Provost Dr. Shelly Powers said, "While we cherish our rich history, it's the promise of our future that truly excites us." When the MEC opened in 2003, it was in response to the strong demand for qualified healthcare professionals, and over the last 20 years, those needs have only escalated. The MEC will be adding a second building to help address the region's increasing need.
Dr. Powers said, "The MEC has continued to grow to meet the dynamic demands of healthcare in our region. In 2025, we will embark on a groundbreaking expansion project poised to revolutionize our campus. This endeavor will notably increase program capacity and introduce essential new programs, benefitting both prospective students and our local healthcare affiliates."
Dr. Powers added, "With 11 associate degrees in applied science and state-of-the-art equipment, labs and classrooms, the MEC serves approximately 3,500 students each year. Our dedication to workforce development shines through our exemplary board and licensure pass rates. NOVA's Nursing program has an impressive 100% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate [as of Fall 2023]."
Six Health Science programs also have a 100% licensure exam rate: Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Laboratory Technology and Respiratory Therapy.
All MEC programs require that students complete a hands-on clinical component, which gives them direct experience providing patient care, under the supervision of engaged and talented faculty. As a result of their clinical training, NOVA grads are in demand by local healthcare employers, including VHC Health, Sentara, Reston Hospital and StoneSprings Hospital Centers (members of HCA healthcare system) and Inova.
NOVA administration works directly with local employers to gauge the needs of the community and healthcare workforce. As a result, in fall 2025, the MEC is seeking to include the addition of two critical programs:
- Public Health (A.S.), providing a foundation for (1) careers in health promotion, health education or disease prevention or (2) continued studies in public health at the bachelor's level.
- Surgical Technology (A.A.S.), equipping students with the skills needed to function effectively in operating room settings as surgical technicians.
The Medical Education Campus will celebrate more than 20 years of excellence this month, which is National Nurses Month. An array of events and activities will honor our students' successes. For more on the MEC, visit the webpage here. To learn how you can help support the work of the MEC financially, see the NOVA Foundation's MEC Fund.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Parkinson, NOVA PIO, KParkinson@nvcc.edu
Northern Virginia Community College is the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America's largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 75,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge, and through NOVA Online. For more information about NOVA and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit the College's Web site, www.nvcc.edu.