Construction has commenced on the first phase of the new Wichita Biomedical Campus joint project in Wichita, Kansas, US.  

This $300m, 471,000ft² joint health sciences centre, is a collaboration between Wichita State University (WSU) and the University of Kansas (KU). 

It is aimed at centralising WSU’s College of Health Professions programmes. 

These programmes include the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s healthcare programme, and the Wichita campuses of the KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.  

The first phase, which is expected to open in early 2027, will encompass 355,000ft² at the south-east corner of Broadway and William.  

It will feature shared spaces for advanced laboratories and technology, as well as simulation rooms designed for hands-on training. 

WSU and WSU Tech are set to occupy the first four floors of the eight-storey tower, with a shared simulation floor on the fifth storey.

Meanwhile, the KU’s classrooms, workspaces, and offices will be located on the top three floors.  

Initially, the campus will accommodate approximately 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff, with the potential for expansion in both existing and new programmes. 

The subsequent phases of the campus will be developed at 214 S. Topeka, the current site of the Wichita Transit Center, which will be relocated to Delano.  

KU School of Medicine-Wichita dean Dr Garold Minns said: “The collaboration within the Wichita Biomedical Campus will provide multiple advantages for KU students.  

“Adding to the already popular benefit of immersive community hands-on experiences, the opportunity to expand their interprofessional learning and training skills in a centralised location will enhance KU School of Medicine-Wichita’s draw for medical students."

To date, $205m has been raised for the campus, providing sufficient funds to commence its first phase.

The Kansas Health Foundation provided the funding for the initial needs assessment that catalysed the project.