LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky (UK), state leaders, and Turner Construction Company gathered this week to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of the Michael D. Rankin MD Health Education Building — the ceremonial “topping out.”

The 509,000-square-foot facility, located at University and Huguelet Drives, will serve as the new home for UK’s Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Health Sciences, and Nursing, as well as the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. Construction began in October 2023, and this milestone marks the placement of the final steel beam, symbolizing both progress and the dedication of the construction and design teams. Before the beam was lifted into place, UK alumni, students, faculty, and staff signed it, leaving their mark on a project designed to transform health education in the state.

“Today’s milestone is about more than steel and concrete — it represents our unwavering commitment to the health of Kentucky,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “This structure rising behind us is a symbol of collaboration and progress, and it represents the future of health care for our state. It is here that students from across disciplines will come together to train, solve problems and discover solutions that make health care stronger for every community in our Commonwealth.”

The project was authorized by the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly with $430 million in funding, including $250 million in state bonds. The UK Board of Trustees approved the construction phase in June 2023. Lawmakers emphasized the investment as one that will directly benefit future generations.

“The General Assembly’s decision to authorize $430 million for this project, including $250 million in state bonds, is a clear investment in Kentucky’s future,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “This facility will expand training for thousands of health care professionals each year, directly addressing shortages that affect nearly every county in our Commonwealth. It’s a long-term commitment that will strengthen health care access, improve community well-being and support economic growth for decades to come.”

Kentucky currently faces a critical shortage of health care providers, including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, therapists, medical lab scientists, audiologists, and public health professionals — with shortages especially severe in rural regions. The Rankin Health Education Building aims to address these challenges by dramatically expanding training capacity, ultimately preparing up to 1,200 additional students to enter the health care workforce each year.

When complete, the facility will dedicate 77% of its space to academic, collaborative, and simulation-based learning. Classrooms, labs, and experiential learning environments will immerse students in real-world clinical scenarios, preparing them for team-based health care delivery.

Key impacts include:

College of Medicine

‍Expanding enrollment from 138 to 200 students annually, making UK one of the largest medical schools in the nation with over 1,000 total students across all campuses.

College of Nursing

‍Significant increases in both BSN and advanced nursing programs to combat the statewide nursing shortage.

College of Health Sciences

‍ A 30% enrollment increase, serving more than 460 students across 10 professional programs including physical therapy, athletic training, and physician assistant studies.

College of Public Health

‍Expanding enrollment by 50%, with new undergraduate pathways to grow the next generation of public health leaders.

Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education

‍Preparing 50% more students annually for collaborative, team-based care delivery.

Designed with flexibility and collaboration in mind, the building will feature open learning spaces, shared labs, and student-centric facilities intended to foster cross-disciplinary partnerships and innovations in patient care.

“The topping out of the Michael D. Rankin Health Education Building marks more than a construction milestone — it’s a celebration of collaboration, purpose and pride,” said David Opalka, vice president and construction executive for Turner Construction Company. “Every beam and slab was placed with intention, creating spaces designed not just for beauty, but for function, flexibility and the future of health care education in Kentucky. Thank you to our entire project team, design partners and tradespeople, whose dedication and craftsmanship brought this vision to life. Together, we’ve built more than a structure — we’ve built a foundation for the breakthroughs and learning that will shape tomorrow.”

When the facility opens, UK expects it will not only transform medical education in Kentucky but also serve as a model for collaborative health training nationwide. Leaders emphasized that the investment is as much about Kentucky’s future communities as it is about the institution itself.

Originally reported by Turner Construction.