Des Moines, Iowa — Mercy College of Health Sciences celebrated a major milestone on Friday, April 24, with the groundbreaking of the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing. The ceremony represented a significant step forward in modernizing the College’s downtown Des Moines campus and preparing for the future of nursing education in Iowa.
Community leaders and generous supporters gathered on campus to commemorate the start of construction on the new facility. The event highlighted the College’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality nursing education and addressing critical workforce needs across the state.
The Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing is a fully funded philanthropic project, with more than $15.2 million raised through the Legacy of Faith Capital Campaign. In addition to the transformational $2.5 million lead gift from Terrance J. and Joyce E. Lillis, the College is grateful for the generosity of key partners, including the Deb & Bob Pulver Foundation, Polk County, Prairie Meadows, Cathy and Steve Lacy, Nancy and Terry Handley, Community Choice Credit Union, and nearly 85 individuals and organizations whose support was instrumental in making this milestone possible.
“This is a defining moment for Mercy College and for the future of nursing education in our region,” said Mercy College President Adreain M. Henry, OD, EdD, MBA, MA. “The Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing represents a bold step forward in expanding our impact, strengthening the nursing workforce, and ensuring our students are prepared to meet the growing demands of healthcare with skill, compassion, and purpose.”
The ceremony featured remarks from several distinguished speakers, including Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority; Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines, who offered a blessing of the ground; Joyce E. and Terrance J. Lillis, whose philanthropic leadership made the project possible; and Vanessa Freitag, chief operating officer of MercyOne – Des Moines Medical Center.
The Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing will enhance Mercy College’s ability to educate and prepare the next generation of nurses by expanding capacity, modernizing simulation environments, and offering innovative, hands-on learning experiences. The project is a cornerstone of the College’s broader strategic focus on innovation in healthcare education, expanding healthcare-related academic programs, strengthening partnerships, and increasing its impact on healthcare workforce development across Iowa.
