University of Florida
supporting a patient-centered approach to learning
University of Florida
Harrell Medical Education Building
Ballinger, in association with Heery International, designed a new facility for the College of Medicine that provides innovative teaching classrooms and hands-on training facilities embodying the latest trends in medical education. The building houses primary learning spaces for medical students and physician assistant students, as well as education-related administration and student support services. New spaces address requirements for increased small-group and active learning; the use of simulators and standardized patients for professional development and assessment; and state of the art information technology, including distance learning capabilities for other campus locations and systems connectivity with the teaching hospital (UF Health Shands Hospital) for real-time training.
key information
Team Leadership
innovative flexibility
This state-of-the-art facility supports a modern medical curriculum that emphasizes an integrated patient-centered approach, incorporating active and collaborative learning methods. The building provides two signature learning studios and both small group and individual student study areas. Previously, medical simulation centers were designed as a series of fixed spaces: an emergency room, an operating room, an ICU, a labor-and-delivery suite, etc. The Harrell Medical Education Building includes a theatrical “set” in which the needs for various simulations can occur by moving the needed components from “stage left” and “stage right.” One day the set can serve as an operating room, and the next day as an emergency room. Alternatively, the set might be divided into an operating room, emergency room and ICU simultaneously. The overall theatrical set can be divided into halves, quarters or eighths.
This new building provides a model for the entire university — architecturally and pedagogically. In this model, teaching is an important driver of our university’s rise among the best universities in the country.
Kent Fuchs
President, University of Florida
fostering collaboration
Simulation and clinical skills facilities in the medical education building fulfill the accreditation requirements of the College’s residency training programs and also provide a shared resource for the Physician Assistant and Nursing programs on campus. As part of this program element, the fourth floor of the building is a dedicated cross-disciplinary space for University programs, such as the school of engineering, to team with industry experts in the development of new medical education technologies. Every program element in the building has a strong relationship to the social path that not only encourages, but makes interaction between students, faculty and administration inevitable.
American Institute of Architects Orlando
Honor Award
City of Gainesville
City Beautification Outstanding Institution Award
