SHSU Opens Advanced Health Professions Building

**SHSU Inaugurates Landmark Health Professions Building, Poised to Transform Texas Healthcare Education**

**HUNTSVILLE, TX – February 18, 2026** – Sam Houston State University (SHSU) today officially opened the doors to its transformative, state-of-the-art Health Professions Building, marking a pivotal moment for its College of Health Sciences and a significant stride toward addressing Texas’ critical healthcare provider shortage. The grand celebration on the Huntsville campus unveiled the impressive 100,000-square-foot facility, a $56.5 million investment designed to revolutionize healthcare education and training.

Funded primarily through tuition revenue bonds approved by the Texas Legislature during its 87th session in 2021, the new building is a beacon of innovation, consolidating a comprehensive array of health-related academic programs under one cutting-edge roof. Future healthcare leaders in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, audiology, dietetics, and health care administration will now learn and collaborate within its walls.

“This is more than just a building; it’s a commitment to the health and well-being of Texans,” stated SHSU President Dr. Alisa White during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The Health Professions Building embodies our university’s dedication to academic excellence, hands-on learning, and community service. It significantly expands our capacity to educate and graduate the skilled professionals essential for a thriving healthcare system, especially in our underserved rural communities.”

Inside, students and faculty will discover an unparalleled learning environment. The facility boasts advanced high-fidelity patient simulation labs equipped with lifelike mannequins that can mimic a vast range of medical conditions, offering immersive, risk-free training scenarios. High-tech classrooms feature the latest educational technology, including virtual reality tools for anatomical study and telehealth simulation suites preparing students for modern remote care. Specialized research areas, including biomechanics and human performance labs, will foster groundbreaking discoveries, while dedicated spaces for clinical practice, such as fully equipped mock hospital rooms and rehabilitation clinics, ensure students gain crucial hands-on experience before entering the workforce.

Dr. Vicki Sealey, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, emphasized the immediate impact on students. “Our faculty now have incredible resources to deliver an even more dynamic and relevant curriculum. This building will not only attract top talent but will equip our graduates with the practical skills and confidence needed to excel from day one. The synergy created by bringing diverse health disciplines together in one facility will also foster interprofessional collaboration, a crucial skill in today’s team-based healthcare environment.”

This substantial investment by SHSU directly confronts the statewide shortage of healthcare providers, which continues to challenge both urban and rural areas. By expanding its educational infrastructure, the university anticipates increasing enrollment in its health sciences programs by an estimated 25-30% over the next five years, contributing a steady stream of highly qualified graduates to the healthcare workforce.

The new facility also deepens SHSU’s long-standing partnerships with local and regional healthcare providers. Representatives from Huntsville Memorial Hospital and CHI St. Luke’s Health were present, underscoring their collaborative efforts in patient care, clinical education, and workforce development.

“Our partnership with Sam Houston State University has always been invaluable, and this new building elevates that collaboration to an entirely new level,” said Shannon Bell, CEO of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. “We rely on SHSU graduates to staff our facilities and care for our community. This expansion means more well-trained professionals staying in our region, directly impacting the quality and accessibility of care for our patients.”

Construction on the facility began in mid-2023, meticulously designed to create an environment that encourages interdisciplinary learning and prepares students for the complexities of modern healthcare. The building’s contemporary design and sustainable features also reflect SHSU’s commitment to responsible growth and innovation.

As SHSU looks to the future, the Health Professions Building stands as a testament to its proactive approach in meeting the evolving needs of the healthcare industry and solidifying its role as a key contributor to the health and economic vitality of Texas.

For more information on the College of Health Sciences at Sam Houston State University, visit shsu.edu/healthsciences.