VCU Unveils New College of Medicine

Virginia Commonwealth University

Governor Timothy M. Kaine joined officials from Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia to unveil the plans for a new state-of-the-art educational building. The new facility will allow for the expansion of class sizes and offerings, and continue the Commonwealth’s progress in training health professionals. VCU-MCV joins Eastern Virginia Medical School and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute as the latest medical school to implement state funds resulting from Governor Kaine’s 2008 bond package for capital construction at Virginia’s public colleges, universities and community colleges.

“Capital investments in medical schools will help meet the future needs for healthcare professionals in the Commonwealth, particularly in under-served and rural areas,” said Governor Kaine. “Construction of these facilities will create jobs immediately and position our colleges and universities to continue our highly-regarded workforce development efforts.”

The new 200,000 square-foot, 12-story building will be constructed to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification standard, and will allow for the expansion of VCU-MCV’s student body to 1,000, further addressing the projected physician shortage in Virginia. Construction on the site of the current A.D. Williams Building, at the corner of 12th and Marshall Streets, is expected to begin in fall 2010 and be completed in spring 2013. The $158.6 million project is a public-private partnership, with $70 million provided by state funds approved by Governor Kaine and the General Assembly, and VCU and private funds supporting the remaining cost.

In 2008, Governor Kaine won passage of a landmark bond package totaling nearly $1.5 billion for capital projects at the state’s institutes of higher learning, including $59 million for each public medical school. The package is a record investment in the sustained viability of Virginia’s institutions of higher education and its workforce development efforts. It also funds an expansion of the state parks system and preservation of open space in the Commonwealth.

By 2020, it is projected that Virginia will have a shortage of 1,500 physicians and over 22,000 Registered Nurses. Governor Kaine has taken a number of steps to address this projected need, including:

• Capital expansions at Virginia’s public medical schools;
• Increased nursing faculty salaries by 10 percent;
• Instituted the Virginia Nurse Educator Scholarship Program, which has awarded 23 scholarships totaling $380,000 to recruit qualified nurse educators and faculty;
• Expanded nursing Associate Degree programs in the Virginia Community College System, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at 4-year institutions;
• Established the Healthcare Workforce Data Center to improve the data collection and measurement of Virginia’s healthcare workforce;
• Expanded access to dental care by expanding qualifications for the workforce.

These efforts are beginning to produce results throughout the Commonwealth, improving the state’s healthcare workforce, addressing labor shortages, and increasing access to healthcare. Based on the most recent data, the number of nursing programs in Virginia has increased from 37 programs in 2004 to 53 in 2008, and the total number of RN graduates from public and private institutions in Virginia rose 39 percent from 2,328 in 2004 to 3,228 in 2,008.

Under Governor Kaine, Virginia’s quality of life has remained among the best in the nation, even in challenging economic times. Forbes.com ranked Virginia as the state with the best Quality of Life during their annual “Best State for Business” rankings. In 2009 Virginia was named the healthiest among South Atlantic states by CQ Press, and in 2008 was ranked 12th for being the most livable state by CQ Press.