Roane State Community College

May 29, 2025

Greg and Kim Gheen have joined a growing list of donors supporting the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center with their recent gift to Roane State Foundation.

The new 130,000-square-foot Roane State campus is under construction in the heart of West Knoxville, located across from Parkwest Medical Center at 9575 Sherrill Boulevard. The campus will house health science programs offered by both Roane State and TCAT Knoxville.

Once open, the center will replace Roane State’s current Knox County Center for Health Sciences and allow both colleges to significantly expand health science courses and programs.

“Thank you for the opportunity to support this very important project in our region, and it is an investment by Kim and I that is considered a privilege,” Greg Gheen said of the donation. “One thing is for sure – we will all use and rely upon healthcare sometime in our lives. This project will help ensure we have the best trained professionals taking care of us and our families.”

Gheen also serves as vice-chair of the Thrive campaign, Roane State Foundation’s effort to raise funds and community awareness for the new facility.

“In order to bridge the workforce gap, we are expanding our footprint and growing programs already responsible for educating an estimated one in three first responders and healthcare workers in our region,” Roane State President Chris Whaley explained. “The project is an essential part of helping us address this ever-increasing need.”

Current Roane State programs to be housed in the new center include nursing, EMS, polysomnography, and respiratory therapy, with the college planning to add new programs such as cardiovascular technology, healthcare administration, ultrasound, and public health.

Additionally, the center will feature a large multi-purpose simulation center aimed at immersing students in real-world scenarios that elevate their training.

“We are so grateful for supporters like Greg and Kim Gheen who recognize the importance of this project as well as its positive impact on our students and the lives of our fellow East Tennesseans,” said Scott Niermann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “As our fundraising campaign continues, we welcome the support of citizens across the region who value a healthy, thriving community.”

The total estimated dollar amount for the project is $75 million. Roane State needs at least $7.5 million in private philanthropy to complete the project and sustain funding for students.

Roane State broke ground on the project in the summer of 2023 and plans to move into the facility this fall with classes beginning in the spring semester of 2026.

Interested supporters can learn more about getting involved with the fundraising effort or making a contribution at thrive.roanestate.edu.