Funding Priorities
A new home for the medical school
Construction of a new facility for medical education is one component of the largest capital campaign in our medical school’s history. The overall $203.4-million campaign supports the school’s core values: a life-changing learning experience for students, exceptional care for the sick, and a curiosity for medical research and discovery.
Bringing together medical students, residents and alumni, the state-of-the art training hub will house a transformed curriculum that will set a new standard in medical education. The new 200,000-square-foot facility will provide modern classrooms and simulation laboratories.
On April 28, 2011, VCU officials and Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a $25 million donation to the VCU School of Medicine by James and Frances McGlothlin. Officials also announced that in recognition of the gift — one of the largest in the university’s history — and the McGlothlins’ longtime support of the VCU School of Medicine, the new medical education building now under construction will be named the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center.
Funding
With an estimated total project cost of $158.6 million, the building has been supported by the Virginia General Assembly with $70 million in state funds.
| A Funding Partnership | |
|---|---|
| State support | $70 million |
| Health System and university funds | $51.6 million |
| Private gifts | $37 million |
| Total | $158.6 million |
VCU has committed to bearing a share of the cost, and private gifts will be a vital resource for making up the difference.
VCU and its Health System have committed to bearing a share of the cost, and private gifts will be a vital resource for making up the difference.
The lobby of the new building will prominently feature a roster of alumni donors whose financial support will be an essential ingredient to this project’s success.
Naming Opportunities
| A Funding Partnership | |
|---|---|
| Auditorium | $5 million |
| Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety | $5 million |
| Massey Cancer Center Research Floor | $2 million |
| Entrance Lobby | $1 million |
| Student Forum | $1 million |
| Dean's Suite | $1 million |
| Admissions Office Suite | $500,000 |
| Conference Rooms | $250,000 |
| Adaptable Classrooms | $250,000 |
| Group Rooms | $100,000 |
| Faculty Office Suite | $50,000 |
| Faculty Office | $25,000 |
| Donor Wall in Lobby | $10,000+ |
For additional information on making a gift, contact:
Tom Holland
Associate Dean for Development
Phone: 800-332-8813 or 804-828-4800
E-mail: tehollan@vcu.edu
Impact
- A projected shortage in the number of physicians threatens to reduce access to medical care as Virginia’s population ages. This new facility for education and training will include a 260-seat lecture hall that will allow the medical school to increase the current 200-student class size to 250 students, increasing the total medical student body to 1,000.
- With a new 12-story building, class size would not be the only thing to see growth. Educational offerings will be broadened across the spectrum, not only for students in the M.D. program and our housestaff officers, but also for life-long learners among our alumni body.
- The James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center is a vital element in the medical school’s plans to update its curriculum to incorporate active learning, case-based lectures and small group study. Just as importantly as increasing class size, the building will also include space for small group learning and classroom labs.
- The facility also will provide expanded space for clinical skills training. The growing use of simulation and standardized patients has the potential to increase the quality of patient care as students and residents spend time honing their skills in a controlled setting. Advances in simulation also provide new opportunities for the School of Medicine to partner with the School of Engineering and the Biotech Park in developing new biomedical devices and medical treatments.
- In addition, about 50,000 gross square feet of the building will be dedicated to cancer research – one of the School’s top areas of interest.
Location
The James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center will be situated on the land currently occupied by A.D. Williams, a
1930s-era facility that must be replaced because of its serious deficiencies, including
no fire suppression system.
The structure will be designed by I. M. Pei’s internationally acclaimed architectural firm, known for its design of the East Wing of the National Gallery, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Louvre Pyramid.
Construction began in September 2010, with an opening date of Spring 2013.
Making News
Track progress on the construction project via architectural renderings, floor plans and even a live Ramcam that allows you to control the angle of a live camera trained on the construction site.
At Reunion Weekend, medical students were joined by VCU President Michael Rao to unveil the architectural rendering of the new education building.
- November 2011 – The medical school celebrated a topping out ceremony. Nearly 100 students, faculty, alumni and donors were on hand when the final steel beam was hoisted into place. Photo gallery and event coverage.
- April 2011 – VCU officials and Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a $25 million donation to the VCU School of Medicine by James and Frances McGlothlin. Photo gallery and event coverage.
- April 2010 - Time capsule from 1936 reveals a secret, some history and a trio of white elephants
- April 2010 - The day the medical school moved one step closer to a new education building
- December 2009 - School of Medicine Education Building Project Launched
