Drexel University College of Medicine celebrated the opening of the new four-year regional medical campus Tuesday morning, located at 50 Innovation Way, in Wyomissing, in collaboration with Tower Health.
The College of Medicine will welcome its inaugural class of 40 first-year medical students at the campus on August 2. Drexel medical students already receive training from faculty physicians at Reading Hospital, the flagship hospital of Tower Health, which is less than one-mile walking distance to the new campus.
The new, state-of-the-art academic building houses standardized patient exam rooms, an anatomy laboratory, small group learning areas and simulation labs that promote interdisciplinary education.
“Our medical students have been receiving their clinical education at Reading Hospital through a long-standing academic affiliation agreement and have been making an impact on medical care in Berks County for decades,” said Mr. Fry
“Our new campus will increase their engagement with both patients and the community, and provide greater opportunities to train and go on to be leaders in medicine, especially in areas in need of more physicians.”
In addition, the building was designed to enhance student life with a focus on student health and wellness and encourage immersive learning experiences. Students have access to a fitness center, information commons (library), lounge areas, a game room and café.
The facility consists of a total of 2,636,000 pounds of structural steel, 2,300 cubic yards of foundation concrete, 290,000 pounds of foundation reinforcing bar, 15,000 sheets of drywall, 150,000 feet of electrical conduit, 75,000 feet of mechanical and plumbing piping, and more than 2,000 gallons of paint.
To officially open the facility, a ribbon cutting was held, featuring remarks by Karen Restifo, MD, JD, Regional Vice Dean, Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health; John Fry, President, Drexel University; P. Sue Perrotty, Tower Health President and CEO, and Charles B. Cairns, MD, Dean and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Drexel University College of Medicine.
“This facility would not be possible without the dedication and support of our community and business leaders. I want to especially thank Senator Judy Schwank, Representative Mark Gillen, Berks County Commissioners Christian Leinbach, Kevin Barnhardt, and Michael Rivera, the Borough of Wyomissing, Equus Capital Partners, Ltd., and the leadership teams at Tower Health and Drexel University,” said Ms. Perrotty.
“Because of their foresight and commitment, our community now offers future physicians the opportunity to learn and train in a state-of-the-art medical school and, at Reading Hospital. We are building both the future of our health care and a positive economic impact for the entire region.”
The College of Medicine currently educates more than 2,000 future physicians, biomedical scientists and health professionals. The College is home to one of the nation’s leading centers for spinal cord research; one of the foremost centers for malaria study; and a highly regarded HIV/AIDS program with extensive NIH-funded research in prevention and therapeutic interventions.
