East Carolina University (ECU) has embarked on an ambitious project that promises to redefine medical education and healthcare in rural North Carolina. The construction of the seven-story, 195,000-square-foot Center for Medical Education Building officially began with a ceremonial groundbreaking on November 22, 2024.
This state-of-the-art facility is financed with a substantial $265 million investment from the state of North Carolina. It reflects the state’s commitment to addressing the acute shortage of primary care physicians, especially in underserved rural areas.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by approximately 200 people, was a significant milestone for ECU. The event was part of a two-day meeting of the ECU Board of Trustees and featured remarks from key figures.
These figures included ECU Chancellor Philip G. Rogers, Dr. Michael Waldrum, dean of the medical school and CEO of ECU Health, University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans, and fourth-year medical student Shantell McLaggan.
The project, years in the planning, gained momentum in 2021 when the North Carolina legislature approved a state budget that earmarked funds for the new center. The chancellor expressed gratitude to various groups for their support in making this vision a reality.
The Vision for the Center for Medical Education Building
The new Center for Medical Education Building is designed to address the critical shortage of primary care doctors in the United States, a problem that is particularly severe in rural communities. As Chancellor Rogers noted, ECU is committed to training medical students who will choose to practice primary care in underserved areas.
This facility will play a pivotal role in fulfilling that mission by providing a modern, state-of-the-art environment for medical education.
A State-of-the-Art Facility
When it opens in 2027, the Center for Medical Education Building will feature:
- State-of-the-art classrooms
- Anatomy labs
- Simulation technology
- Flexible spaces
- Collaboration rooms
- Small group student spaces
- Green infrastructure
Sections of the building will be designed as living rooms for four blended cohorts of medical school students, with common spaces serving as a “home” where students can study, gather, and recharge. Dr. Jason Higginson, the school’s executive dean, emphasized that the facility is designed with students in mind. He pledged the highest quality medical education and facilities to recruit the most promising future doctors.
Impact on Medical Education and Rural Health
The construction of the Center for Medical Education Building is not just about expanding physical infrastructure; it’s about expanding opportunities and improving healthcare outcomes. The Brody School of Medicine at ECU is already among the nation’s top schools for graduates who choose to practice primary care in medically underserved areas.
It ranks second in the nation for graduates who choose to practice family medicine. This new facility will enable the school to admit more students, increasing the number of incoming students from fewer than 100 to as many as 120 after the expansion.
Addressing the Physician Shortage
The shortage of primary care physicians is a nationwide issue that has left over 83 million people in the U.S. without sufficient access to a primary care doctor. Rural communities are the hardest hit by this shortage.
The Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health have a strong culture and mission focused on addressing this critical need. The new Center for Medical Education Building will support this mission by providing a cutting-edge environment where medical students can train in one of the largest rural regions in the nation.
Dr. Michael Waldrum, dean of the medical school and CEO of ECU Health, highlighted the importance of this new facility in supporting the mission of the Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health. He noted that the modern facility is intentionally designed to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can benefit from a high-quality medical education experience that supports them and the state’s healthcare needs.
A Commitment to Excellence in Medical Education
The Center for Medical Education Building represents ECU’s commitment to excellence in medical education. The facility will provide the necessary infrastructure to support rigorous medical training, combining hands-on learning environments with quiet and comfortable spaces for study. This comprehensive approach is essential for preparing students to begin treating patients in clinical settings.
Looking Ahead
Construction of the Center for Medical Education Building will begin at the northeast corner of the medical school footprint in March. The facility is expected to open during the 2027-2028 academic year, marking a new era for medical education at ECU.
The expansion will allow the Brody School of Medicine to continue its mission of training highly skilled physicians who are committed to serving rural and underserved communities.
In more than a half-century of training physicians in eastern North Carolina, ECU has awarded over 3,500 degrees in medicine. The new Center for Medical Education Building will build on this legacy, providing the next generation of medical students with the tools and environment they need to succeed.
As ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers stated, this project is a celebration of the start of a journey that will impact countless families in eastern North Carolina and beyond.
The Center for Medical Education Building is more than just a building; it is a symbol of hope and progress for rural healthcare. It embodies ECU’s dedication to improving health and well-being in underserved areas and represents a significant investment in the future of medical education and healthcare in North Carolina.
For more information about the groundbreaking and future developments, visit the East Carolina University news page.