The Tennessee General Assembly recently approved $311 million for a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences. This new facility, costing a total of $350 million, will be built on Madison Avenue in Memphis, between the College of Pharmacy and the now-demolished Holiday Inn site.
Chancellor Peter Buckley emphasized the importance of this project, noting that Tennessee ranks low in health outcomes. The new building aims to become a center for training future healthcare professionals, enabling them to provide collaborative, modern care throughout the state.
With this expansion, the medicine class size will increase from 175 to 250 students, and the Physician Assistant Program will grow from 30 to 60 students each year. This is crucial as Tennessee is projected to need 6,000 more physicians by 2030. Additionally, demand for roles such as nurse anesthetists and physician assistants is expected to rise significantly.
The building will incorporate advanced technology to support interdisciplinary training, preparing students for the evolving healthcare landscape. It will also enhance telehealth education and allow increased online learning opportunities, potentially boosting enrollment in various academic certificate programs.
As Tennessee’s only statewide academic health science center, UT Health Sciences aims to train healthcare workers through its campuses across Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The new building could help graduate an estimated 1,450 healthcare professionals in the first five years alone.
While the state is making a major investment, the university needs to raise an additional $50 million for project costs and specialized equipment. This comprehensive approach reflects the university’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges, especially in rural areas.
HOK, a global design firm, has been engaged for the building’s programming and design, while Memphis-based brg3s architects will assist. With planning approval secured, construction is expected to start in late Fall 2026, aiming for completion in 2029.
Michael Hocker, Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, describes this project as a landmark event, emphasizing the enhanced interprofessional education it will provide. Student leaders also regard this building as a historic moment, ensuring future physicians receive quality training to impact lives positively.
As healthcare continues to evolve, investments like this are crucial. The aim is to train a workforce that meets the growing needs of Tennesseans, paving the way for a healthier future.
For more information on healthcare workforce projections in Tennessee, click here.
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Ben Finder,College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building,Dr. Michael Hocker,Dr. Peter Buckley,Raaj Kurapati
