A seven-foot-ceremonial scalpel — not scissors — sliced through a ribbon as University of Missouri-Kansas City and community leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new UMKC School of Medicine building in St. Joseph, Missouri, a milestone for medical education and rural health in northwest Missouri.
The $14.5 million building adds classrooms, exam rooms and simulation labs designed to prepare students for a future in rural medicine. With plastinate models, a cardiopulmonary patient simulator, and a 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool, the learning spaces are equipped with cutting-edge medical training materials.
Leaders say the project signifies a critical investment in training doctors who will practice in rural communities, where the need for physicians continues to grow.
“This 22,000-square-foot facility represents more than bricks and mortar,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “It’s a symbol of what’s possible when higher education, healthcare, government and community come together around a common goal: improving access to care for the people of this region.”
The St. Joseph campus first welcomed students in 2021 through a partnership with Mosaic Life Care, allowing students to train directly in the health system while serving patients in northwest Missouri. Now, with a dedicated education building in place, UMKC School of Medicine students have extended opportunities to learn outside of the hospital.
“This new facility was thoughtfully designed to reflect the realities of modern rural practice,” said School of Medicine Dean Alexander Norbash. “It supports the team-based approach that defines excellence in medical care today.”
UM System President Mun Choi called the campus a model for how higher education can partner with government, healthcare and local communities to create meaningful, long-term impacts while creating innovative solutions to pressing challenges and crucial needs.
“By focusing on rural medical education, we’re strengthening the state’s capacity to address physician shortages and improve access to care for all Missourians,” Choi said.
Which is why the location of the building is just as important as the state-of-the-art facilities inside.
“Research shows that students who complete rural training are much more likely to return to those communities to practice or be willing to go out to those rural communities and provide specialty care, helping address chronic physician shortages,” said Mosiac Life Care Chief Administrative Officer Davin Turner.
The project was funded through a mix of federal, state and local support, including $1.5 million from the state of Missouri. Missouri State Rep. Brenda Shields said the bipartisan backing was a recognition of the urgent need to expand rural healthcare access.
“By investing in educational infrastructure, Missouri is not only addressing today’s challenges, but laying the groundwork for healthier, more prosperous communities in the future,” Shields said. “The St. Joseph campus stands as a point of pride for the state, showcasing Missouri’s leadership in rural healthcare innovation and workforce development.”
Missouri, like many other states nationwide, is experiencing significant challenges with rural healthcare, including physician shortages and lack of facilities. Within Missouri, over 78% of health professional shortage areas are in rural areas.
“This campus represents just one of the many ways UMKC is responding,” Agrawal said. “Increasing the number of doctors is incredibly important. But just as important is preparing doctors who are committed to rural practice and who understand the communities they’ll serve.
For students, the new facility also makes medical school more accessible. Mikalah Brock, who grew up in and lives in Maysville, Missouri, just 30 miles east of St. Joseph, said studying close to home allows her to pursue her degree while continuing to live and raise her family in her hometown. But more importantly, it provides her an opportunity to attend medical school at a university that invests in communities like the one she is from and wants to serve.
“We learn about the unique challenges our patients face in rural medicine from physicians who have spent their careers dedicated to rural health,” Brock said. “It’s why this program isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about joining a movement to improve healthcare across Missouri.”
The St. Joseph education building adds to the list of other rural healthcare initiatives, including a Rural Pathway Program, rural residencies, School of Pharmacy satellite campuses in Columbia and Springfield and the School of Dentistry’s recent announcement of St. Joseph extension plans as well.
After speeches and a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Wednesday’s grand opening event for the new St. Joseph Medical School building continued inside the building with student-led tours and demonstrations, showcasing the new facilities.
“This building represents hope, not just for students and faculty, but for the patients, families and entire communities who will benefit from better access to care,” Turner said.
