Construction has officially begun on a major academic healthcare facility that will expand outpatient medical services and strengthen physician training opportunities in South Florida.
Florida International University and its Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center, a $158 million investment designed to integrate healthcare delivery, medical education, and research within a single campus destination.
The seven-story facility will encompass approximately 163,000 square feet and is scheduled for completion in 2028. Once operational, the center will serve as a cornerstone of FIU’s expanding clinical enterprise and support growing demand for healthcare services across the region.
The project is designed to bring together medical education and clinical care under one roof, creating opportunities for students, faculty, researchers, and healthcare professionals to collaborate in a real-world healthcare environment.
Academic learning spaces will be integrated alongside outpatient medical services, allowing future physicians to train in a setting that reflects modern healthcare delivery models. The facility will also support research initiatives while expanding access to specialized medical services for local residents.
Healthcare industry leaders increasingly view academic medical centers as critical assets for addressing workforce shortages, advancing medical innovation, and improving patient outcomes.
The facility will feature a broad range of outpatient services, including multi-specialty care, same-day surgical procedures, and diagnostic imaging capabilities.
As healthcare systems continue shifting care away from traditional inpatient settings, demand for outpatient facilities has grown significantly. Modern ambulatory care centers provide patients with convenient access to treatment while helping health systems improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
The partnership between FIU Medicine and Baptist Health South Florida is expected to strengthen care delivery while supporting long-term regional healthcare needs.
Robins & Morton and Thornton Construction are delivering the project through a joint venture, with Stantec serving as the architect.
Healthcare facilities remain one of the most active segments of institutional construction nationwide. Growing populations, workforce shortages, technological advancements, and evolving patient care models continue to drive investments in medical campuses, outpatient centers, and academic healthcare facilities.
Projects of this scale typically require specialized expertise involving healthcare design standards, advanced building systems, medical technology integration, and phased construction planning.
The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center reflects a growing trend toward integrated healthcare campuses that combine education, research, and patient care functions within a single facility.
For healthcare owners and developers, these projects offer opportunities to improve service delivery, strengthen workforce pipelines, and create long-term community assets. The development also highlights continued demand for healthcare construction projects that address both patient access and the future needs of medical education.
Source: Robins & Morton.
