The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Nursing has extended its partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center through the sponsorship of the college’s new nursing building — the UT Medical Nursing Building. The building was officially dedicated today.
“UT Medical has been an invaluable partner to the university and the College of Nursing, and we deeply appreciate their shared commitment to serving our students and the people of Tennessee,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “Together we are preparing highly skilled nurses who will provide exceptional care for our families, neighbors and communities — ensuring a healthier future for our state.”
Construction on the building began in August 2022, when the former nursing building was demolished. The new building occupies the same site at the corner of Volunteer Boulevard and Peyton Manning Pass.
“This support represents an investment not just in our students but in the health and well-being of people across Tennessee and the nation,” said Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the college. “By combining world-class facilities with expanded scholarships and partnerships, we are ensuring that more students have the opportunity to pursue their calling in nursing while addressing critical workforce needs.”
Providing Cutting-edge Resources and Technology
The new building is a key component of UT’s commitment to providing a top-tier educational experience for its growing student population. It provides state-of-the-art design that will prepare future generations of nurses for clinical practice and leadership roles. At 117,000 square feet, the building nearly triples the size of the former space.
Among its features:
- Modern classrooms equipped with advanced teaching technology
- A 250-seat auditorium for large lectures, guest speakers and community events
- High-fidelity simulation and skills labs that mirror real-world clinical environments, offering students immersive hands-on training
- A wet laboratory to accommodate the college’s microbiome scientists as well as collaborators from other disciplines
- Collaborative learning spaces for team-based education and interprofessional practice
- An outdoor teaching and event plaza that creates opportunities for wellness activities, community gatherings and student engagement
- A healthy dining option with grab-and-go meals and fresh selections to support student wellness
Supporting Future Generations of Nurse Leaders
In addition to expanding its long-standing partnership with the college, UT Medical’s support will fund scholarships for nursing students and strengthen collaborative initiatives between the college and the medical center. These initiatives are designed to attract top students, remove financial barriers and foster collaborative learning that can directly impact patient care in communities nationwide.
“As the region’s academic health system, we are committed to patient-centered care, advancing medical education and research, and improving the overall health of our communities,” said Dr. Keith Gray, president and chief executive officer of UT Medical. “Nursing is central to this mission, and our expanded partnership with the College of Nursing invests in the next generation of caregivers while ensuring the strength and sustainability of our care delivery model for years to come.”
UT Medical and the college have an established partnership grounded in advancing nursing education and strengthening the workforce.
In the fall of 2022, they launched the UTMC Nurse Scholars program. Its initial phase, the ABSN Scholars program, supported students in the 12-month accelerated BSN track. Plans are underway to expand the program to include RN-to-BSN students.
The second program, the BSN Scholars program, launched in 2023. This program is providing financial support to more than 140 traditional BSN students this fall.
“Our partnership with the College of Nursing has helped more baccalaureate-prepared nurses enter the workforce, and that number will continue to grow over the years,” said Dr. Sandy Leake, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of UT Medical. “UT Medical is proud to support Vol nursing students as they pursue their education, refine their skills and prepare to lead the future of the nursing profession. Education is the foundation for developing tomorrow’s leaders, and we are honored to walk alongside these students through programs such as the Accelerated BSN and BSN Scholars programs, and the RN-to-BSN Scholars program this investment will create.”
Expanding Enrollment and Strengthening the Nursing Workforce
The partnership with UT Medical has given the college an opportunity for even more growth. Enrollment has skyrocketed, with 24.5% growth over the past five years. That growth has reinforced the need for additional space and scholarship support.
“We are deeply grateful to UT Medical for their generosity and continued partnership,” said Brian Broyles, UT’s senior vice chancellor for advancement. “This investment will not only transform the College of Nursing but also open doors for countless students through scholarships — ensuring that talented students can pursue their calling. The impact will be felt for generations as our graduates enter the workforce prepared to provide exceptional care, strengthen our health systems and improve lives across Tennessee and beyond.”
The college is consistently ranked among the top nursing programs in the nation and is Tennessee’s leading producer of baccalaureate-prepared and graduate level nurses. The new building and scholarship support will enable the college to continue expanding enrollment and graduating highly skilled, compassionate nurse leaders prepared to meet the challenges of today’s health care environment.
About the College of Nursing
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, research and service. With a commitment to advancing health care and addressing critical workforce needs, the college prepares highly skilled nurses through innovative programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ranked No. 1 in Tennessee for undergraduate nursing education, the college is dedicated to improving health outcomes through cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration and community partnerships. For more information, visit nursing.utk.edu.
About The University of Tennessee Medical Center
The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center, a Magnet-recognized hospital also certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UTMC is a 710-bed not-for-profit academic medical center, with a regional network of primary care and specialty care physicians and practices as well as outpatient regional health centers and urgent care locations throughout its 21-county primary service area. The medical center, the region’s ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center and state-designated regional perinatal referral center with a Level III private room NICU, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. UTMC features nine Centers of Excellence, including the Brain and Spine Institute, Cancer Institute, Emergency and Trauma Center, Heart Lung Vascular Institute, Orthopaedic Institute, Center for Complex Medicine, Center for Perioperative Medicine, Primary Care Collaborative, and Center for Women and Infants. Visit UTMedicalCenter.org for more information.
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Kara Clark (865-974-9498, kmclark2@utk.edu)