Marshall University Board Approves $3.5M Site Acquisition for New School of Medicine Facility
核心洞察
Marshall University Board of Governors approved a $3.5 million purchase of 3.894 acres for a new Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine facility in Huntington, West Virginia.
The project marks the school's first free-standing facility since its 1977 founding and coincides with its approaching 50th anniversary in 2027.
The new building will consolidate core academic functions, featuring advanced simulation technology, AI computational resources, research facilities, and a community clinic.
The Marshall University Board of Governors has authorized a $3.5 million acquisition of approximately 3.894 acres of property located on Northcott Court and Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington, West Virginia, marking a pivotal step toward establishing the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine's first free-standing facility since its founding in 1977.
"This investment represents a significant milestone in the history of Marshall University and the School of Medicine," said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith. "For nearly five decades, the School of Medicine has trained physicians and health professionals who serve communities across West Virginia and beyond. This new facility will position us to expand that mission for generations to come."
The acquisition launches a transformative project that coincides with the school's approaching 50th anniversary in 2027. Funding for the project will be drawn from a combination of federal, state, local, and private support.
A Long-Awaited Dedicated Home
Founded as a VA-affiliated medical school through a partnership with the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine was established to address physician shortages and expand access to care across the region. As its academic programs, research enterprise, and clinical partnerships expanded over the decades, the school outgrew its original facilities and extended its footprint across multiple locations throughout Marshall University's downtown and health sciences campuses.
The new medical education building will bring many of the school's core academic functions together under one roof, creating a modern hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Facility Features and Capacity
Plans for the new facility include advanced instructional technology, simulation and clinical skills training spaces, enhanced computational resources to support emerging applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, research facilities, and a community clinic designed to enhance hands-on learning while expanding access to care.
More than 450 medical and health professions students, along with 350 resident physicians and fellows, are expected to utilize the facility annually. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2027.
"We are deeply grateful for the collective vision and support that has made this important step possible," said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president for health affairs at Marshall and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. "By bringing education, research and clinical services to our community together in a modern learning environment, we will continue to provide the resources and experiences that prepare tomorrow's physicians and health professionals to deliver exceptional care across Appalachia and beyond."
Recent Growth at the School of Medicine
The site acquisition follows the school's continued expansion. In July 2026, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine welcomed its largest incoming class of medical students, with 105 students representing 24 states. Of those, 30 students are from West Virginia and 86% hail from medically underserved regions, underscoring the institution's ongoing commitment to addressing healthcare workforce gaps in Appalachia and beyond.