The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has reached a defining moment in its largest capital project to date—the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building (HDIB)—with the ceremonial signing and placement of the final steel beam.
The topping-out ceremony drew a large crowd of students, faculty, staff, elected officials, and community partners, all gathered to celebrate the progress of a project expected to transform both the university and the broader Kansas City healthcare landscape. Among the dignitaries present were Missouri Reps. Brenda Shields, Emily Weber, Aaron Crossley, Donna Barnes, Michael Johnson, and former Sen. Dan Hegeman, who joined UMKC leaders in signing the final beam before it was hoisted into position. The beam, covered in signatures, was lifted by crane and secured into place as applause rang out, symbolizing the spirit of community and collaboration behind the initiative.
“Just one year and one week ago, a big crowd of campus and community members stood together on this site, breaking ground on an idea – a shared vision – that was becoming a reality,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Now, just 12 months later, you can see that early vision rising from the ground – a structure that’s already reshaping our skyline and signaling progress. This building will be more than just bricks and beams. It will be a hub for innovation, where future physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals train side by side. It will strengthen research and collaboration, generating discoveries that improve healthcare for Kansas City and beyond. And it will continue UMKC’s legacy of community service, expanding the free and affordable care we already provide.”
The Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building is being developed at a cost of more than $120 million, representing the university’s largest single capital investment. Once complete, the multi-story facility will house state-of-the-art classrooms, simulation labs, and interdisciplinary spaces designed to bring together students and faculty from the School of Dentistry, the School of Medicine, and other health-related disciplines.
UMKC Trustee Dick Flanigan and second-year dental student and former Trustees’ Scholar Mary Gipson also addressed attendees at the ceremony. Gipson, speaking on behalf of students, described how the new facility will open doors for hands-on training and improve the way future healthcare workers learn. “This is a building that will not only shape our academic journey but also directly impact the patients we serve,” she said.
The building is also expected to expand UMKC’s role as a regional leader in healthcare workforce development. University officials say it will serve as a vital resource at a time when Kansas City—and the nation at large—faces ongoing shortages of healthcare professionals. In addition to providing more training opportunities for students, the new facility will increase access to affordable dental and medical care for underserved communities in the metro area.
Once operational, the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building will host programs focused on advancing medical and dental research, improving clinical outcomes, and fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines. The facility is designed not only to strengthen UMKC’s academic offerings but also to act as a hub for partnerships between the university, hospitals, and regional health organizations.
Construction of the HDIB is expected to be completed in phases, with opening anticipated within the next two years. The project will stand as a major addition to UMKC’s Health Sciences District, which already includes schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as multiple hospitals and research institutions.
By combining cutting-edge facilities with a strong commitment to public service, UMKC leaders believe the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building will ensure the university continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare in Missouri and beyond.
Originally reported by University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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