A $5 Million Boost for the Future of Medical Education

First Horizon Foundation’s commitment supports a new medical education facility designed to strengthen physician training, research, and healthcare collaboration

Memphis, Tennessee, 13 August 2026 – The future of medical education in Tennessee is set to receive a major boost as First Horizon Foundation has committed $5 million toward a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

The contribution marks an important step in the development of a facility that is expected to support the education and training of future healthcare professionals. The project is part of a broader effort to expand medical education, strengthen the healthcare workforce and create modern spaces for learning, research and collaboration.

The $5 million commitment is among the major private contributions supporting the university’s fundraising campaign for the project. The campaign aims to raise $50 million, with $39 million planned for capital needs and $11 million intended to support programs connected to the new building.

The larger project represents a $361 million investment. It includes the planned $350 million College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building, supported by a significant state investment as well as private philanthropic funding.

The seven-story facility is expected to cover more than 300,000 square feet and provide the College of Medicine with its first dedicated home. As the largest of the university’s six colleges, the College of Medicine plays a central role in preparing healthcare professionals for the future. The new building is expected to bring medical education, research, technology and collaborative learning together in one modern environment.

The project is also designed to support a changing approach to healthcare education. Medical training increasingly requires students to work across different disciplines and develop practical skills in settings that reflect real healthcare environments. The new facility is expected to provide spaces that encourage interaction between students, educators and healthcare professionals.

A key focus of the investment is strengthening the pipeline of healthcare workers. During its first five years, the building is expected to support the training of approximately 1,450 new physicians and physician assistants. This could help address the growing demand for skilled medical professionals across Tennessee and beyond.

The university’s medical education programs extend across several Tennessee cities, including Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville. The new building is expected to strengthen this wider education network by providing an expanded foundation for students beginning and continuing their medical training.

Its location in the Memphis Medical District also adds to the importance of the project. The district brings together hospitals, research institutions, healthcare organizations and academic facilities. Placing the new College of Medicine building within this environment could create more opportunities for collaboration between education, research and clinical practice.

The project also reflects the important role that private support can play in developing major healthcare and education infrastructure. Large facilities require long-term planning and substantial investment, often involving support from public institutions, private organizations and philanthropic partners.

The building has been designed through a collaboration involving HOK and Memphis-based brg3s architects. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 following the necessary approvals, with full occupancy targeted for 2030.

As the project progresses, the new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building is expected to become a significant part of Tennessee’s healthcare education landscape. With more space for learning, research and professional collaboration, it could help prepare a larger number of healthcare professionals for the needs of the future.

First Horizon Foundation’s $5 million commitment provides an important early boost to the effort. More than an investment in a building, the contribution supports the development of future physicians, stronger medical education and a healthcare workforce prepared for the challenges ahead.

• By Editorial Panel
• 14 Aug 2026