Florida Gulf Coast University students in the Marieb College of Health & Human Services are gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge medical technology, and a major donation is taking their training to the next level.
A $22 million gift from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation will help create even more immersive learning environments, ensuring students are ready to care for real patients.
Dean Shawn Felton says the funding will help “future-proof” students, integrating advanced tech that prepares them for tomorrow’s health care challenges today.
The donation honors the legacy of Dr. Elaine Marieb, who supported health education programs across the country. Trustee Libby McHugh noted the gift is especially important in Southwest Florida, where health care professionals are in high demand.
The money is already helping students learn through simulation labs, virtual holograms, and real hospital equipment like ultrasound machines. Master’s student Emily Buhain explained how hologram technology offers lifelike scenarios that teach students how to care for patients remotely. Faculty say these experiences are critical for building clinical skills and boosting confidence before students even set foot in a hospital.
With nearly 100% of Marieb graduates employed within six months of graduation, FGCU’s approach is clearly working.
The donation will also support the construction of a new academic building Ten, set to break ground in fall 2026 and open by 2028, expanding opportunities for future health care leaders in the region.
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