The new building will be a hub of connection between the university’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health and Information Sciences.
On April 21, 2026, the University of Louisville officially broke ground on its new Health Sciences Center. The new academic building will feature learning spaces and simulation spaces, and will serve as a connection hub between the university’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health and Information Sciences, opening up opportunities for collaboration between colleges and means of interdisciplinary education.
According to an article on the University of Louisville’s website, university president Gerry Bradley was quoted as saying of the new facility, “Today marks more than the start of a new building. It reflects a bold commitment to the future of health in our community and across Kentucky. This new health sciences facility will accelerate discovery, strengthen our workforce and expand access to high-quality care. It’s an investment in people, in partnership and a powerful step toward building healthier lives, stronger families and a more resilient region.”
The new Health Sciences Center will be six stories tall, spanning 257,000 square feet, and will cost an estimated $280 million. The university is contributing $20 million toward the project, with the State of Kentucky providing $260 million. The building will contain simulation facilities, classrooms, dining areas, workspaces, gathering areas, and outdoor areas, serving as a space for learning and collaboration among students and faculty in the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health and Information Sciences.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said, "Investing in the UofL Health Sciences Center is a direct investment in the future of Kentucky’s economy. By modernizing how we train our next generation of nurses, doctors and dentists through simulation training, we are ensuring that our commonwealth remains a leader in health care innovation. A healthy workforce is the backbone of a strong economy, and this facility will provide the critical infrastructure needed to train the next generation of health care professionals to serve the people of the commonwealth."
Among the goals of the project is to increase enrollment in healthcare related programs at the university, leading to the strengthening of the region’s healthcare workforce. It also aims to create a more collaborative environment among the related programs, giving students a more interdisciplinary education.
David Osborne, who serves as the speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, said, “Building a strong and resilient economy for Kentucky families starts with investing in people – those including our health care workforce. This state-of-the-art simulation facility will give students the hands-on training they need to master complex clinical skills before ever entering a hospital room. By modernizing health care education, we are strengthening the pipeline of highly trained professionals ready to meet the demands of a 21st-century economy. Ultimately, this investment will lead to better care, improved outcomes and healthier communities across the commonwealth.”
Jarrod Young was hired in January to serve as the executive director of academic simulation. As such, he will oversee the implementation of the building’s various simulation spaces to ensure students will gain practice on the types of equipment they will be using in their future careers.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said, "This groundbreaking is an investment in Louisville’s future. By uniting education, research and hands-on training, UofL’s new Health Sciences Building will grow the next generation of health care professionals, strengthen our workforce, improve health outcomes for people across Kentucky and reinforce Louisville’s role as a leading medical and education hub for Kentucky and beyond.”
The building site sits within the Louisville Medical and Education District and construction is expected to be completed in 2029.
For more information about the University of Louisville, visit the school’s website.