Wichita Biomedical Center rendering

University, Tech and the University of Kansas have broken ground on Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus℠, an approximately 471,000‑square‑foot, $300 million health sciences facility located in the heart of downtown Wichita.

University, Tech and the University of Kansas have broken ground on Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus℠, an approximately 471,000‑square‑foot, $300 million health sciences facility located in the heart of downtown Wichita.

Objectives   Expected Benefits  

biomedical corridor map

Creating a thriving health care corridor

The Wichita Biomedical Campus℠ proposes the creation of a corridor, beginning with construction near Broadway and William streets in downtown Wichita, where health care services, education, research and technology can be established near existing private hospitals and health care providers. That proximity will strengthen collaboration, and support interprofessional health care learning, while forwarding opportunities for partnerships in new and emerging research fields. The first phase, which accounts for $205 million of the total cost, will open in fall 2026.

 

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Objectives

1. Improve efficiencies, strengthen collaboration, and support interprofessional health care learning.

2. Fuel the talent pipeline with highly trained health care professionals who will help meet community and employer needs.
3. Meet community needs through improved patient outcomes.


4. Take advantage of the digitalization of health care and health care education.


5. Diversify and support the prosperity of the Kansas economy through innovation and research.

6. Overcome the endemic impacts of COVID-19 and prepare our healthcare system to meet future health care threats.

Expected Benefits

  • A health care corridor in a metropolitan area near private hospitals and health care providers will provide opportunities for partnerships in new and emerging research fields.
  • , Tech and KU have several strong health science and biomedical programs with proven track records for success. Pooling the collective resources and successes of our institutions through the Wichita Biomedical Campus℠ will bring about remarkable opportunities for collaboration, innovation and research.
  • Initially, about 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff will be housed at the center with opportunities for growth in existing and new programs.
  • Prioritizing biomedical and health care education in Wichita will send a message to our community and our businesses that we care about our community’s health and are willing to invest in it. The Kansas Legislature has already committed to investing $205 million to the project. More investment in health care means more people will be attracted to and stay in Wichita.
  • Mental health is paramount to our community, and the Wichita Biomedical Campus℠ will be key to addressing the demand for counselors and therapists in the region.
  • The 471,000-square-foot facility will house shared spaces for advanced laboratories, clinical research and technology. The high-tech facility will draw students, educators and researchers from around the country — attracting talent and resources to the Wichita area and boosting the economic success of Kansas.
 physician assistant student checks a patient

A Physician Assistant student checks a patient.

The Wichita Biomedical Campus will revolutionize health care education and put Wichita on the map as a hub for health care and innovative scientific research. The ripple effects of this campus include better health outcomes for everyday Kansans and, for the people in the region, access to superb health care in their own backyard.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
Wichita Biomedical Campus Groundbreaking, May 8, 2024

This facility will be transformative for how we'll be able to education and train health professions students for the future along the full breadth of the pipeline — from entry-level health care wrokers, to medical laboratory scientists, to nurses and PAs, to pharmacists and physicians.

— President Rick Muma

The Wichita Biomedical Campus will revolutionize health care education and put Wichita on the map as a hub for health care and innovative scientific research. The ripple effects of this campus include better health outcomes for everyday Kansans and, for the people in the region, access to superb health care in their own backyard.

— Kansas Governor Laura Kelly


Supporting Documents

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