Tri County Tech Invests in Healthcare Workforce with Health Wing Remodel
Tri County Tech hosted a Ribbon-Cutting and Open House on November 7, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of its newly remodeled Health Occupations Wing, a modern learning space designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce.
“This project represents what can happen when vision, collaboration, and commitment come together,” said Dr. Strobel, Superintendent & CEO of Tri County Tech. “Thanks to generous financial support from local, state, and federal funding partners, we’ve transformed our health training spaces into environments that inspire learning and prepare students to make a real difference. This is more than a renovation – it’s an investment in people.”
The Health Wing renovation was made possible through local funding, one-time state funding, Delta Dental, and federal ARPA funds. The remodel includes new simulation labs, nursing classrooms, and state-of-the-art learning environments that reflect the realities of modern healthcare settings.
Tri County Tech has seen record-breaking enrollment numbers this fall, with 36 potential graduates from Practical Nursing this December (up from 22 in previous years), 88% capacity in the new Firefighter/EMT program, an unprecedented success for a new offering, and double the capacity in Nursing Assistant with the addition of a second teacher to meet student demand.
Tri County Tech emphasized that the project goes far beyond upgraded facilities, it directly addresses the state’s growing shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. “Across Oklahoma, and especially in rural areas, hospitals and clinics are struggling to meet the demand for quality care,” Strobel said. “By expanding access to high-quality training, Tri County Tech is preparing students for stable, meaningful careers that strengthen our communities.”
Following the ceremony, guests toured the remodeled spaces and met instructors and students from programs such as Practical Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Nursing Bridge, and EMT. Highlights included demonstrations in the CNA Skills Lab, Simulation Lab, and EMT/Paramedic areas.
About Tri County Tech
We’re one of Oklahoma’s first CareerTech schools and have a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development since 1967. Our devotion to each other, our students, and the life-changing learning we provide fuels our pursuit of excellence. We call this the “Tri County Way.” We have locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, Oklahoma. Tri County Tech is part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, which offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts and operates on 59 campuses across the state. CareerTech plays a vital role in developing a world-class workforce for Oklahoma employers and prepares Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, in education, and life.
About Oklahoma CareerTech
Oklahoma CareerTech is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 17 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities, and 32 Adult Education and Family Literacy service providers.