Drexel University and Tower Health officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the new project earlier this week.

WEST READING, PA—Construction has begun on a new four-year regional campus for the Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health here.

Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health, located on Parcel 9 of The Knitting Mills redevelopment, will feature state-of-the-art technology, as well as traditional classrooms, learning communities and lecture halls. The facility, located less than a mile from Reading Hospital, will include traditional and nontraditional instructional venues where students will advance their medical skills and education via simulated patient rooms, anatomy laboratories and simulation labs to promote interdisciplinary education with residents, physicians and nurses.

When fully operational, the campus will have capacity to educate and train 200 medical students. The new campus building will total 150,000 square feet, according to a report in Lehigh Valley Business.

Tower Health and Drexel University held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 17 for the new project. No development cost for the project was disclosed.

Clint Matthews, Tower Health President and CEO, said of the new campus initiative, “Tower Health is focused on taking care of all the communities we serve. Our collaboration with Drexel University further enhances our ongoing commitment to our academic mission by educating the physicians of tomorrow while also having a positive economic impact in Berks County.”

At the new building, students will have access to a fitness center with indoor and outdoor recreation space, Information Commons (Library), lounge areas, a game room and café.

Drexel University states that its medical students will benefit from the addition of a new regional campus in an area that is experiencing economic growth, while studying medicine at the largest hospital between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. “Our relationship with Tower Health and this four-year regional campus creates an excellent destination for our medical students to build the emerging skills required by today's physicians to meet the ever-growing needs within health care,” said Drexel University president John Fry.

Tower Health and Drexel University first announced plans to develop a regional campus near Reading Hospital in April 2018. Parcel 9 of The Knitting Mills was selected as the future home of Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health in October 2018. A 20-year academic agreement was signed between the two organizations in February 2019, and on May 29, 2019, 20, third-year medical students began their core clinical rotations at Reading Hospital.

With more than 12,000 team members, Tower Health consists of Reading Hospital in West Reading; Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville; Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; Jennersville Hospital in West Grove; Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville and Pottstown Hospital in Pottstown. It also includes Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing; Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in West Reading; home healthcare services provided by Tower Health at Home; and a network of 22 urgent care facilities across the Tower Health service area. Tower Health offers a connected network of 2,000 physicians, specialists and providers across 125 locations.

Instant Insights /

Tower Health, Drexel U. College of Medicine Break Ground on New Regional Campus

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