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In January, UCF broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona. The new 90,000-square-foot home of the College of Nursing, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26, will help UCF graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses — creating a healthier and brighter future for the community and state.
The philanthropy-fueled project is supported through $43 million from the state of Florida and named in honor of Dr. Phillips Charities, which provided the lead $10 million gift.
Students and faculty will have access to everything from research labs to a state-of-the-art simulation center and a host of study spaces — providing unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced learning experiences.
“The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion … will be a venue where great thinkers live, future nurses learn, and innovators and scholars work together to solve our world’s most pressing healthcare problems.”
— Mary Lou Sole, UCF College of Nursing dean
- The Need for New Nurses
- $26 million
- Contributed from industry partners, corporations, foundations and donors to support construction of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona
- 2,300
- Registered nurses are needed to enter the workforce each year to address Florida’s shortage of 37,400 by 2035
- 150
- More Knight nurses UCF will be able to educate annually in the new, larger building
Behind the Groundbreaking
![UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright talks to news media during the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony at Lake Nona.](https://www.ucf.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/2024/04/Pegasus-Spr24-InFocus-NursingGroundBreaking-PresCartwright-1200x800-1.jpg)
UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright speaking to media about the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion groundbreaking.
![An architectural rendering of the new College of Nursing building by Huntonbrady Architects, Ayers Saint Gross and DPR Construction.](https://www.ucf.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/2024/04/Pegasus-Spr24-InFocus-NursingGroundBreaking-Render-1200x800-1.jpg)
An architectural rendering of the new College of Nursing building by Huntonbrady Architects, Ayers Saint Gross and DPR Construction.
![Three glass jars filled with dirt from the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony at Lake Nona.](https://www.ucf.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/2024/04/Pegasus-Spr24-InFocus-NursingGroundBreaking-Takeaway-1200x800-1.jpg)
Jars of dirt from the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion groundbreaking
![UCF mascot Knightro gives a person a high five during the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony at Lake Nona.](https://www.ucf.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/2024/04/Pegasus-Spr24-InFocus-NursingGroundBreaking-Knightro-1200x800-1.jpg)
Knightro high-fiving a person at the event.