Broward Health has completed a major expansion of its graduate medical education footprint with the opening of a new 28,250-square-foot training, education and wellness facility at Broward Health Medical Center. The project underscores the health system’s long-term commitment to developing the next generation of physicians and strengthening access to care across the region.

The new center was officially unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the conclusion of a $10.8 million renovation that took 14 months to complete. Now among the largest graduate medical education (GME) spaces in South Florida, the facility is five times larger than its predecessor and was designed specifically to support modern medical training.

Purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of residents and fellows, the space includes a high-tech simulation lab, adaptable classrooms, conference areas, resident lounges, collaborative workspaces, a library, private on-call suites and a dedicated wellness room. Relaxation areas were also incorporated to support mental health and resilience, particularly as physician burnout remains a growing concern during residency training.

“The physicians we train today will define the future of healthcare,” said Shane Strum, President and CEO of Broward Health. “This new GME facility reflects our continued investment in education while helping expand access to high-quality care for the communities we serve.”

The opening comes during a milestone year for Broward Health’s GME program. Last summer, the system welcomed its largest incoming residency class in its 88-year history. Broward Health now supports 365 residents and fellows across its system, representing a 9 percent increase year over year.

This marks the second GME facility Broward Health has launched in less than two years. In July 2024, Broward Health North debuted a 7,000-square-foot training center serving residents and fellows in northeast Broward County.

Systemwide, Broward Health currently offers 26 residency and fellowship programs, with eight new specialties added over the past two years, including nephrology, infectious disease and otolaryngology. Additional program expansions are planned in OB/GYN and interventional cardiology, with each new offering designed to address specific community healthcare needs, including long wait times for specialty services.

The health system has also expanded high-demand programs such as internal medicine, family medicine, orthopedic surgery and cardiology, further reinforcing the region’s physician pipeline and improving patient access to care.

Beyond clinical education, Broward Health’s GME program places a strong emphasis on wellness, mentorship and community involvement. Each resident and fellow is paired with both faculty and peer mentors, while outreach initiatives like Desk to Docs connect trainees with local high school students interested in STEM and healthcare careers.

“We are proud to train physicians from Florida and around the world in modern facilities that support both education and well-being,” said Patricia Rowe-King, M.D., Broward Health pediatrician and designated institutional official overseeing residency and fellowship programs. “By investing in infrastructure and mentorship, we hope many of these physicians will continue serving our community long after training ends.”

Broward Health’s GME program has also gained national visibility, with its orthopedic surgery residency recently ranking as the fifth most viewed program in the country on the FREIDA database.

The renovation was completed by general contractor Skanska with architecture by the Beck Group. According to David Clark, senior vice president of operations at Broward Health, the project reflects a broader vision.

“This new facility creates a state-of-the-art environment that supports education, collaboration and resident well-being, helping ensure the future of healthcare right here in South Florida.”

Source:  South Florida Hospital News