KU Medical Center broke ground today on a new health education building. The $75 million structure will replace outdated facilities where medical and nursing students are trained.
KU’s current health education building opened in 1976 and has reached capacity. The new building will boast the latest in technology and allow KU to train an additional 25 medical students a year at its KCK campus and 50 more statewide.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and a host of other dignitaries were present for the ceremony.
Brownback said the new facility "expands the important role that KU Medical Center plays in ensuring Kansans have access to highly trained doctors and nurses. It’s an investment in our future.”
Construction is set to begin next month and be completed in summer 2017.
Funding comes from $25 million in state bonds, $37 million in private donations, including $25 million from the Hall Family Foundation, and $15 million from KU Medical Center itself.
Dan Margolies is a reporter with the Heartland Health Monitor.