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On April 2, 2004, just over five and a half years ago, the Indiana University Board of Trustees gave its approval for the construction of a Medical Education Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW.) That approval was just the beginning: Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education approved the project in December 2004, and in July 2005 the State Budget Committee approved giving $12 million to IU to fund the construction. Construction on the building began in 2007 and was finished earlier this year.
Today (Friday, Oct. 30, 2009), the Medical Education Center of the Indiana University School of Medicine-Fort Wayne was formally dedicated. IPFW Chancellor Michael Wartell led today’s ceremony, saying the process of getting the facility built was both a nightmare and the fulfillment of a dream. “We knew northeast Indiana needed a state-of-the-art medical education facility and a complete medical school. At the same time, we were also asking the Indiana Legislature for funding to build a music facility and performance hall. The nightmare was trying to decide which one to choose. The realization of the dream was when we decided to go for both, and thanks to our legislators, today we are dedicating the Medical Education Center in the John and Ruth Rhinehart Music Center.”
IU President Michael A. McRobbie said construction of the Medical Education Center is yet another important example of how the long-standing partnership between IU and Purdue is helping communities all across Indiana meet their needs for higher education. “We remain very grateful to the state for providing $12 million in bonding authority for the construction of this marvelous new facility,” McRobbie said. “The building that we are dedicating today offers clear evidence of what can be accomplished when people and institutions commit to collaboration. And that collaboration extends from right here in Fort Wayne all the way to the statehouse.”
Purdue Provost William R. Woodson noted that today is important not only for Purdue, IU, IPFW, and Fort Wayne, but for all of northeast Indiana. “We believe this Medical Education Center will increase the number of outstanding physicians practicing in this part of the state,” said Woodson. “It will also link citizens here to the best medical care available.”
Other speakers at the dedication included Dean of the IU School of Medicine D. Craig Prater; Fen-Lei Chang, director of IUSM-Fort Wayne; and members of the Indiana legislative delegation.
The new facility contains approximately 42,000 square feet, featuring classrooms with state-of-the-art technologies and research and office facilities for 14 faculty members. The four patient exam rooms can be used for teaching the med school students how to take patient histories and make physical diagnoses. The building also features two conference rooms and several rooms for team-based learning exercises. The building was designed by MSKTD and Associates of Fort Wayne and the IU Architect’s Office. The general contractor for the project was Weigand Construction Company Inc. of Fort Wayne.
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