Eastern Kentucky University Plans Center for Health Innovation

New facility aims to address healthcare shortages across the state.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:06pm

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A ghostly, X-ray-like image of a stethoscope, its internal components and structure revealed in glowing lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the advanced medical training facilities planned by Eastern Kentucky University.An innovative medical education facility aims to address Kentucky's healthcare shortages by training the next generation of collaborative, interdisciplinary providers.Richmond Today

Eastern Kentucky University is planning to construct a Center for Health Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train students in modern medical education and clinical simulation. The center will bring together 3,000 students in health-related majors to learn in an environment similar to real-world healthcare settings, with a focus on addressing Kentucky's medically underserved areas.

Why it matters

Kentucky faces significant healthcare shortages, with over 2 million residents living in medically underserved areas. EKU's proposed Center for Health Innovation aims to be a vital part of the solution by providing advanced medical training and simulation to prepare the next generation of healthcare providers for the state.

The details

The Center for Health Innovation will feature learning spaces and clinical simulation labs to give students hands-on experience working in interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The plans also include EKU's proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine, which will further expand the university's capacity to address Kentucky's medical workforce needs.

  • EKU is currently in the planning stages for the Center for Health Innovation.
  • The university plans to open the new facility in the coming years.

The players

Eastern Kentucky University

A public university located in Richmond, Kentucky, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including health-related majors.

David McFaddin

The president of Eastern Kentucky University.

Dr. Brad Hall

The chief medical and strategic partnerships officer at Eastern Kentucky University.

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What they’re saying

“The Center for Health Innovation will bring 3,000 students in health-related majors into a space where they can learn in an environment similar to what they will experience in the healthcare field.”

— David McFaddin, President, Eastern Kentucky University

“EKU envisions the Center for Health Innovation as a state-of-the-art facility for modern medical education, featuring learning spaces and clinical simulation labs.”

— Dr. Brad Hall, Chief Medical and Strategic Partnerships Officer, Eastern Kentucky University

What’s next

EKU plans to continue the planning and development process for the Center for Health Innovation, with the goal of opening the facility in the coming years to address Kentucky's healthcare workforce needs.

The takeaway

EKU's proposed Center for Health Innovation represents a proactive approach to addressing the significant healthcare shortages across Kentucky, particularly in medically underserved areas. By providing advanced medical training and simulation, the university aims to prepare the next generation of healthcare providers to meet the state's evolving needs.