Center for Medical Education
The new Center for Medical Education at East Carolina University marks a bold step forward for the Brody School of Medicine, ECU and ECU Health. Connected to the existing Brody Medical Sciences building, this state-of-the-art facility will expand enrollment capacity from 86 to over 120 medical students annually — opening doors for more aspiring physicians across North Carolina.
Embarking on an exciting new chapter, the Center for Medical Education is designed to elevate student success through modern classrooms, cutting-edge simulation and anatomy labs and collaborative learning spaces. This facility will enable Brody to grow the incoming classes from 86 to 120 students and continue attracting top talent among both students and faculty. Today, the Brody School of Medicine proudly includes more than 4,000 alumni, 472 faculty, 1,055 staff and 531 students, including 313 pursuing medical degrees and 218 enrolled in graduate and doctoral programs.
“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 Brody
The Center for Medical Education will reinforce Brody School of Medicine’s position as a leader in medical education with modern spaces tailored for student success. Featuring expanded learning environments, state-of-the-art anatomy and simulation labs and collaborative spaces, the new facility will ensure students receive top-tier training that prepares them for 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
Standing seven stories tall and spanning 195,000-square-feet, the CME will connect 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 N.C. General Assembly has generously funded the facility itself, donor support remains essential. Preparing future medical leaders takes more than bricks and mortar — your investment enhances academic programs, empowers students and drives life-changing discoveries.
The Center for Medical Education is key to attracting top-tier students and faculty. With cutting-edge labs, simulation spaces and research facilities, Brody becomes a more competitive destination for future physicians and leading faculty. As we expand our class size to help address North Carolina’s physician shortage, your support ensures we do it with excellence — preparing more doctors to serve where they’re needed 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.