University of Missouri-Kansas City Breaks Ground on Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building

On September 11, 2024, the University of Missouri-Kansas (UMKC) officially broke ground on its new, multi-level Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, which will serve as the home for UMKC's School of Dentistry Clinics, School of Medicine's Simulation Center, the University's Health Equity Institute, Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center and Biomedical Engineering program. Designed in partnership with RDG Planning & Design and Clark & Enersen, the building will accelerate healthcare access and equity for the community, transforming the campus into a regional draw and igniting entrepreneurship and economic growth for the city and the region. Speakers at the groundbreaking event included former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi, UM Curator Chair Robin Wenneker, students and UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal.

UMKC is one of only 20 universities in the country where dentistry, medicine, nursing and health studies, and pharmacy share a single, walkable campus, underscoring the need to continue to provide opportunities for collaboration among the health sciences. Located at the corner of 25th and Charlotte Streets on UMKC's campus south of downtown Kansas City, the new five-story Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building will be the cornerstone of UMKC's health sciences district. Once complete, the district will increase collaboration between healthcare fields and create a greater capacity for developing health solutions and providing patient care.

"The Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building stands as a symbol of UMKC's forward-looking vision, shaping campus experiences and setting a new standard for health science education and community engagement," said RDG Architect and Senior Partner, Benjamin Kroll, AIA LEED AP, NCARB. "With its role as a catalyst for the health science district, the building will serve not only as a hub for academic excellence but also as a much-needed dental patient care resource for underserved communities in the region."

Design for the 160,000-SF building offers state-of-the-art technology and rich educational environments, including digital labs, dry and wet labs and School of Medicine simulation areas, all designed to support cutting-edge research and interprofessional collaboration. Moreover, tele-check-in and other new operational strategies set this dental program at the forefront of dental learning and care. The building's architecture reflects a balance of contemporary design, lasting materials and a strong emphasis on campus connections. A key sustainable design feature includes high-performing glazing systems, allowing for increased visible light and views from the inside out while meeting the latest, updated code requirements for energy efficiency and captured utility cost reductions. Wellness and engagement features include access to outdoor resources, daylit spaces and on-site nutrition options. Architectural lighting further enhances the building's visual impact while ensuring safety and celebrating the structure's innovative design.

By strategically using the site's steep grade, the level one north entry functions as the academic gateway, linking directly with adjacent health science facilities and the School of Medicine and reinforcing the educational network. Conversely, the level two south clinic entry is designed to engage with the broader community, featuring outdoor spaces that provide intuitive wayfinding for patients and visitors, and expansive, collaborative spaces that foster interaction and interprofessional education. The Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building is set to open in 2026.