How do you prepare students to excel in their chosen healthcare fields? By creating a flexible educational environment that drives interprofessional teamwork, cutting edge technology, and innovative instruction. Virginia Commonwealth University offers all three in the new College of Health Professions Building.

A nexus for collaboration, the facility unites 11 health education departments under one roof, combining their strengths into a flexible, interprofessional education community. Students, faculty, and researchers work side-by-side, learn from one another, and focus on delivering the best patient-centered care possible.

Robust high-touch technology is the heartbeat of this eight-story tower. Walk into the simulated hospital and watch the nursing students practice on a patient simulator. Or, stop by the smart-home apartment on the second floor to observe therapy students learning how to support individuals with limited mobility. In the Biomechanics Research Lab, students and faculty research, create, and test healthcare devices to serve their communities better. Technology-rich experiential learning is everywhere.

The predominantly glass exterior puts these high-tech highlights on display. The vertical connections of the classrooms, laboratories, double-height collaboration areas, and faculty office clusters create collision zones and touchpoints for faculty and students, reinforcing the university’s goal of interprofessional collaboration.