Arizona State University (ASU) has unveiled plans for its new medical school, the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, to be located within the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) near Roosevelt Row. This initiative underscores ASU’s commitment to integrating medicine with engineering, technology, artificial intelligence, and the humanities to revolutionize healthcare education.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the future site of the ASU Health headquarters, situated between 4th and 5th Avenues, Fillmore Street, and Pierce Street in downtown Phoenix. The 200,000-square-foot facility will serve as the central hub for several of ASU’s health-related colleges, including the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the College of Health Solutions, the Medical Master’s Institute, the Health Observatory at ASU, and more.
President Michael Crow emphasized the transformative nature of this initiative, stating, “We’re not just building a medical school. We’re not just building a public health school. We’re not just doing a few new things under some label. We’re taking the assets of the most innovative university in the United States and applying them to a new class of problems. And right here on this gravel pile will be the headquarters of all of that.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego highlighted the economic impact of the project, noting that ASU Health is projected to contribute $19 billion to the state’s GDP and create approximately 200,000 jobs.
“The future of healthcare changes today with ASU Health on the city’s 30-acre Phoenix Bioscience Core, delivering next-generation research, better patient outcomes, strong talent, and a promise for life-altering medical breakthroughs,” Gallego said. She also praised ASU President Michael Crow for selecting the Phoenix Bioscience Core as the site for what she called “the most advanced medical technology school in America.”
ASU at the PBC
ASU already has a strong presence on the PBC, with approximately 227,000 square feet of facilities, including biomedical research laboratories, an Innovation Center, and a Translational Research Center. These facilities provide administrative, conference, training, and support spaces. Heath Observatory at ASU currently resides at 850PBC.
HonorHealth and ASU’s Clinical Partnership
ASU Health has partnered with HonorHealth as its primary clinical affiliate, providing students with valuable clinical clerkship opportunities to enhance their practical training. The new medical school aims to produce physicians adept at integrating medicine with advanced engineering and technological solutions. The facility will include classrooms, study spaces, offices, laboratories, and simulation areas designed to replicate operating and emergency rooms.
HonorHealth CEO Todd LaPorte spoke about the potential of this partnership, stating, “I think ASU wants to make a mark in the healthcare space with innovation, and there are places where that can converge with our expertise. Can you imagine creating a simulation experience for students where they could perform surgery virtually and learn from it? That will require expertise coming from both of our camps.”
The launch of ASU’s new medical school at the PBC represents a bold step toward transforming healthcare education and fostering innovation in the field.