A new building that will house Duke University’s School of Nursing, School of Medicine’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and Department of Orthopedic Surgery received approval Saturday from the Duke University Board of Trustees.
The trustees also approved new graduate degree programs in materials science and engineering, and in dance, among other items.
Construction on the 102,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to start this month and be completed in fall 2019. It will connect to the Duke University School of Nursing Christine Siegler Pearson Building along Trent Drive.
“This new building is tremendously important to the continued growth of our nationally recognized Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which has been located off-campus for many years,” said Dr. Mary E. Klotman, dean of the School of Medicine. “In creating a campus presence, the physical therapy students will strengthen important connections to clinical services and campus life, and will allow us to evaluate program expansion in the near future.”
“The ability to co-locate with the School of Nursing also allows us to focus on a new office of Interprofessional Education, which will teach students the value of patient-centered care across multiple medical disciplines,” Klotman added.
The five-story building will replace the one-story, 14,000-square foot Elizabeth C. Clipp Research Building. The School of Nursing will occupy 50 percent of the new building, and will be home to the school’s Ph.D. program, Center for Nursing Research, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Student Services, Duke Health Center for Inter-Professional Education, simulation suite and more.
In addition to serving as the the new home for Duke’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, it will also house administration and Graduate Medical Education offices for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
“I am very pleased that the Board of Trustees approved the plans for this new building,” said Marion E. Broome, dean of the School of Nursing. “Once this project is complete, the School of Nursing and School of Medicine will continue to expand their interprofessional efforts by providing unparalleled educational excellence, leading research and clinical expertise to our students and the community.”