Center for Medical Education
East Carolina University’s Center for Medical Education building will usher in a new era for the Brody School of Medicine, the university and ECU Health. The construction of this building, connected to the existing Brody Medical Sciences building, will support enrollment growth from 86 to more than 120 medical students per year.
Embarking on an exciting new chapter, the Center for Medical Education Building is designed to better support students with modern learning environments, state-of-the-art simulation and anatomy labs, as well as collaborative spaces. With this new building, we can expand class size from 80 to 120 students, while attracting top-tier faculty and the best and brightest students. Today, Brody is home to more than 4,000 alumni, 472 faculty, 1,055 staff and 531 students, including 313 medical students and 218 graduate and doctoral-level students.
“The impact this new facility will have on education, research and regional health is immeasurable. The new state of the art classrooms, study space, anatomy labs and simulation technology will allow our faculty to build on the tradition of excellence at the Brody School of Medicine as we educate the next generation of North Carolina’s physicians to provide care in our region and across the state.”
– Dr. Michael Waldrum, Dean of the Brody School of Medicine and CEO of ECU Health
Constructing the Future of BSOM
The Center for Medical Education will strengthen Brody School of Medicine’s position as a leader in medical education by offering cutting-edge facilities tailored to student success. With expanded learning environments, state-of-the-art anatomy and simulation labs and collaborative spaces, the new facility will ensure students receive top-tier training before entering clinical practice.
Check out the build in action!
Click below for a live stream of the progress of the CME Building.
A Closer Look at the CME
The CME will be a seven-story, 195,000-square-foot structure connected to the existing Brody Medical Sciences building. Designed to propel the education of tomorrow’s health care leaders, this center will provide unparalleled resources, cutting-edge learning environments and innovative educational tools that will transform how we prepare our students for the future of medicine.
Exterior
Interior
While the facility itself has been generously funded by the N.C. General Assembly, donor support is crucial. Educating our future medical leaders goes beyond a building. Your investment enriches their educational journey, strengthens academic programs, fuels student success and propels groundbreaking discoveries.
The new Center for Medical Education also plays a vital role in attracting top-tier students and faculty. State-of-the-art classrooms, labs and simulation spaces make Brody a more competitive and appealing destination for the best and brightest aspiring physicians. For faculty, modern research facilities and advanced technology support innovation and help retain leading educators and scientists. As we grow our class size to address the critical physician shortage in North Carolina, your generosity ensures we can meet this challenge with excellence — preparing more physicians to serve the communities that need them most.
For more information please contact:
Grace Tolson
Director of Development
Brody School of Medicine
ECU Health Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
We are grateful for support from alumni, faculty, community members and friends! Your gift directly impacts the training of future physicians, improving health care across North Carolina.
To learn about investment opportunities, contact Grace Tolson, Brody School of Medicine Director of Development, at [email protected].
Opening in 1982, the current ECU Brody Medical Sciences building has served our institution well, and the wear and tear of educating decades of physicians is beginning to show. With this new building, we can expand class size from 80 to 120 students, while attracting top-tier faculty and the best and brightest students. Reinforcing Brody’s mission to improve rural health care by training primary care physicians, this investment reflects North Carolina’s commitment to the school’s success and its impact on health care.
By accommodating larger class sizes and attracting distinguished faculty, Brody will continue to advance its mission of improving rural health care and shaping the next generation of physicians. This investment underscores the school’s commitment to excellence and innovation in medical education.
The Center for Medical Education will be a seven-story, 195,000-square-foot structure connected to the existing Brody Medical Sciences building.
Inside you’ll find:
- Two large learning studios that can seat up to 500 people in a lecture/banquet style setting or transform into classrooms, meeting and seminar spaces.
- Highly flexible spaces including huddle rooms, pod-like collaboration spaces and small group student spaces.
- Four student houses designed as a home away from home for M1 – M4 students to collaborate and mingle. The spaces features lockers, changing areas and study carrels.
- Roof terrace and green space, provide a serene outdoor haven for wellness, reflection and focused study.
- Individual levels dedicated to clinical simulation, clinical skills and human structures.
The Center for Medical Education is made possible through the generosity of the N.C. General Assembly. The $265M investment represents the school’s ability to meet its mission of preparing new physicians and caring for patients across eastern North Carolina and beyond.
While the NCGA has generously funded the construction of the Center for Medical Education, it is the support of our donors that truly brings the student experience to life. From scholarships that help reduce student debt, to funding for groundbreaking research, innovative programming and hands-on learning opportunities, donor contributions bridge the critical gap between state funding and the full cost of delivering a world-class medical education at Brody. Your generosity ensures that our students are not only well-trained but also empowered to serve communities across eastern North Carolina and beyond.
Construction began in March 2025 and is set to be complete in the fall of 2027 —in time to welcome the incoming Class of 2030!
Yes! There are nearly 150 donor recognition opportunities throughout the facility. Discover the impact you can make through our exclusive naming opportunities, or connect directly with Grace Tolson, Brody School of Medicine Director of Development, at [email protected].
The existing building will remain a vital hub for faculty offices, research labs and essential services that support the education of future physicians. ECU/Brody leadership is dedicated to enhancing these spaces over time, ensuring they continue to foster innovation, collaboration and excellence in medical training.