A $300 million health sciences complex is under construction in downtown Wichita, Kansas, marking a historic collaboration between three major academic institutions: Wichita State University, the University of Kansas, and WSU Tech. Dubbed the Wichita Biomedical Campus, the facility will serve as a centralized hub for healthcare education, research, and innovation.

The multiphase project will bring together a wide range of programs under one roof, including Wichita State’s College of Health Professions and its Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s nursing and surgical technology training, and the University of Kansas’ medical and pharmacy schools. The goal is to streamline collaboration and elevate healthcare training by placing students from various disciplines in close proximity.

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a tangible expression of our dedication to advancing health care through collaboration and innovation,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma in a news release. “By bringing together researchers, health care professionals and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive and collaboration sparks innovation.”

Eight-Story Tower to Anchor Phase One

According to a KU Medical Center announcement, the first phase of construction includes an eight-story, 350,000-square-foot tower. The building will accommodate up to 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff, forming the academic and clinical foundation of the broader campus. Designed to promote interdisciplinary work, the tower blends classroom instruction with real-world, hands-on training.

Shared features include a simulation center, a state-of-the-art anatomy lab, and various high-tech classrooms. Among the specialized resources are:

• A 1,000-square-foot, four-bed simulation room with a movable partition for flexible use
• Six additional 425-square-foot, two-bed simulation rooms
• A control room behind mirrored windows for faculty monitoring
• A 30-seat simulation-focused classroom
• Five debriefing rooms with capacity for 12 students each

Architecture Designed for Innovation and Community

Beyond functionality, the building's architectural design also emphasizes aesthetics and community interaction. The tower’s exterior features a stair-stepped silhouette with terra cotta paneling and glass bands, providing modern visual appeal while maximizing natural light. A three-story street-facing pavilion will include three 80-seat classrooms, which can be converted into event spaces. Its roof will feature an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the city, offering a space for student gathering and community events.

Inside, the building is designed with flexible community areas and advanced laboratories. Strategic placement of windows and glass walls ensures views of the Wichita cityscape, reinforcing the urban connection of the health campus.

Boosting Local Healthcare Workforce and Economy

The project is seen as a strategic investment in Kansas' healthcare workforce. By consolidating training and research programs across institutions, the campus aims to not only improve education outcomes but also help address workforce shortages in nursing, primary care, and other healthcare specialties.

Officials anticipate that the new facility will be completed in 2026.

Originally reported by Mike Kennedy in ASUMAG.