In a sign of how vital health care careers have become to the Southwest Florida region, Florida Gulf Coast University broke ground this week on a $117 million health sciences facility designed to train the health professionals of tomorrow.
Marieb Hall South, named for late human anatomist Elaine Nicpon Marieb, will be the largest building on campus to date, at more than 158,000 square feet, with completion expected in mid-2029. Initial funding of $117 million was approved by the Florida Legislature for Phase 1, with $27 million for Phase 2 currently in the legislative process, FGCU officials said.
FGCU announced last year a $22 million gift from Marieb’s charitable foundation, the largest in the university’s history, to be used toward the development of cutting-edge instructional technology.
The four-story, high-tech building will house all educational programs currently taught at the Marieb College of Health and Human Services, including physical therapy, nursing, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, public health, social work and counseling.
It will be located on the south campus between the Arts Complex and Parking Garage 2.
From left, Skanska Vice President Bob Kramer; HuntonBrady Principal Maurizio Maso; RG Architects Principal Javier Salazar; Shawn Felton, dean of the Marieb College of Health and Human Services; FGCU alum Stephen Vale; Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Larry Antonucci; and FGCU President Aysegul Timur, turn ceremonial shovels of dirt during the Marieb Hall South groundbreaking.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Training for tomorrow’s needs
FGCU President Aysegul Timur told an audience of about 200 at the groundbreaking ceremony that the building represents the university’s commitment to preparing the health care workforce of the future.
She noted that nearly half of Marieb College graduates remain in Southwest Florida after graduation, contributing more than $600 million annually to the region’s economy.
“Our alumni work at organizations like Lee Health, Arthrex, Naples Comprehensive Health and across countless schools, clinics and community agencies that count on our health care graduates,” Timur said.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings courtesy of RG Architects and HuntonBrady Architects
Dr. Larry Antonucci, chair of the university’s board of trustees and president and CEO of Lee Health, said that as a health care leader he sees the impact of the new facility extends well beyond the campus.
“FGCU graduates are job-ready, highly skilled and deeply committed to serving this region,” Antonucci said. “At organizations like Lee Health, we see every day the value FGCU alumni bring to patient care and to our workforce.
“This expansion strengthens that pipeline, allowing FGCU to scale its impact and ultimately improve the quality of care throughout Southwest Florida.”
A Marieb College student discusses simulation technology with a visitor during the April 15 groundbreaking for Marieb Hall South. Almost half of Marieb College graduates stay in the area for health care jobs.
Therese McDevitt
Asked whether the expansion of health care education could lead to a future medical school, Pamela McCabe, director of university communications and media relations, responded with a written statement.
“This topic has been part of discussions among university leadership and the board of trustees in recent years, and it continues to be evaluated as we consider future academic growth opportunities,” McCabe said in the statement. “As with any new academic program, any potential path forward would involve close collaboration with key stakeholders, including state leaders, the Florida Board of Governors and our regional health care partners.”
McCabe said any consideration of a medical school would be separate and not tied to the design or academic programming of the new Marieb facility.
Close
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
Renderings show Marieb Hall South at Florida Gulf Coast University, a $117 million health sciences facility designed to expand training, research and simulation space for the region’s growing health care workforce.
New technology, new concepts
Shawn Felton, dean of the Marieb College of Health and Human Services, said FGCU has become a major supplier of both clinical and nonclinical health care professionals for Southwest Florida, one of the fastest-growing health care markets in the state, and said the new facility will help future-proof the region’s workforce for health care.
“This building will bring together specialized teaching labs and a state-of-the-art interprofessional simulation center equipped with advanced technology and cutting-edge research spaces,” Felton said.
Over the past decade, enrollment in FGCU’s Marieb College has doubled, Felton said, with about 2,700 students currently enrolled annually.
Shawn Felton, dean of Marieb College, left, at the April 15 groundbreaking ceremony for Marieb Hall South with Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, center, and Michael Nachef, chief of staff at Lee Health.
Therese McDevitt
Felton said degrees awarded have risen 61% over the past five years, but the need for health care workers still exceeds the supply. He noted ongoing shortages in primary care and behavioral health, as the field continues to evolve with data, artificial intelligence and new technologies.
Without additional space to expand and innovate, he said the university cannot fully meet the needs of its students or the community.
The new facility will bring a new level of innovation to health care training at FGCU, said Dr. Joseph Buhain, director of interprofessional simulation and emerging technology and an assistant professor in the department of health sciences.
“The design of it is going to revolutionize how medical care is being done today,” Buhain said. “The innovations in technology, artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, holographic teleportations and telemedicine are just a few examples of what we’re designing to help students be better prepared in clinical practice.
Dr. Joseph Buhain, right, talks with a visitor during the April 15 groundbreaking ceremony on FGCU’s south campus. Buhain heads Mareib College’s interprofessional simulation and emerging technology program.
Therese McDevitt
“If we can provide new technology, new concepts and state-of-the-art equipment that better performs student outcomes and provides better care for patients, we’re doing the right thing. And FGCU is leading that edge.”
FGCU officials said the building is intentionally designed to bring together clinical care, simulation and academic instruction in one environment, allowing students from multiple disciplines to train together in spaces that closely mirror real-world health care settings.
In addition to health sciences training areas, Marieb Hall South will serve as the home of student health services, including counseling and psychological services, which Felton said will make essential care more accessible to the university’s more than 16,000 students.