After 60 years of serving North Carolina A&T State University students’ health needs, the Sebastian Health Center will get a makeover and a new location.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, North Carolina A&T State University broke ground on its new student health center at the corner of Bluford Street and Benbow Road.

“We are long overdue for a new student health center,” Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“It was built at a time when we had about 2,000 students. Now, we have more than 11,000.”

The current Sebastian Health Center, located behind Barbee and Vanstory halls is approximately 11,000 sq. ft. and does not meet modern building code requirements. The new facility will be nearly 28,000 sq. ft. and will meet all building code and Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

“Had we had a health center that looked like that when I came in 1973, I would have been ill more often,” Board of Trustees chairman Deese said laughing during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This is another step forward in the evolution of N.C. A&T.”

The two-story structure will be equipped with 11 exam rooms, a women’s health center, seminar rooms for wellness, prevention and maintenance education, a modern pharmacy, a laboratory diagnostic area, an immunization area, a substance abuse and counseling area as well as a secure record retention and triage area.

Senior biology major Jessica Sanders is the president of the Student Health Advisory Committee, the liaison between the health center and the students. She said the new health center is a visible milestone in A&T’s journey and more.

“This will be a place where we welcome students in a safe, comforting and confidential environment.”

Sebastian Student Health Center will be A&T’s first completely green facility. Upon completion, it will be a LEED silver building.  Construction is expected to be completed in August 2014.