FGCU begins construction on $117 million health sciences building

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has broken ground on Marieb Hall South, a $117 million health sciences building that will be the largest on campus and is set to open by spring 2029.

Gabriela Rodriguez, an FGCU student aspiring to work in pediatrics, expressed her enthusiasm for the hands-on learning opportunities the new facility will provide.

"I love little kids so particularly for me, I really want to go into pediatrics," Rodriguez said.

"I feel so much better prepared because I've had the mannequins and like all the simulators and things that have prepared me, like we have one that's of a real woman that gives childbirth and, so like that is, a lot of people haven't been through that experience," Rodriguez said.

Joseph P. Buhain, director of interprofessional simulation and emerging technology, highlighted the innovative technologies that will be incorporated into the building.

"We're looking at things on how medicine and medical care can be, can be, done better, can provide students the opportunity to be better in their professional career and advanced technology to where it needs to be at. So the innovation of simulation, immersive rooms, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, conversational AI, emotional AI, immersive technology," Buhain said.

Dr. Shawn Felton, dean of health and human services, emphasized the importance of simulation in student training.

"You know, we've always trained students, but having simulation allows you to, make errors in an environment. You suspend the disbelief, makes it authentic, but you're able to make errors without having catastrophic outcomes," Felton said.

Marieb Hall South will provide students with cutting-edge resources to prepare them for real-world medical scenarios.

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