Empowering Rural Healthcare

Centracare-University of Minnesota

The HGA team transformed an existing administrative building into a state-of-the-art medical education center designed to attract and retain students and faculty committed to serving rural areas.

CentraCare and the University of Minnesota Medical School have partnered to address the growing physician shortage in rural communities. This collaboration expands the medical school’s footprint to Central Minnesota, establishing a new campus in St. Cloud as part of the “one school, three campuses” initiative.

HGA’s approach began with extensive student engagement, incorporating feedback from existing medical students to understand their needs. The result is a design that prioritizes flexibility, access to daylight, and a variety of learning spaces. The centerpiece of the facility is a cutting-edge Simulation Lab, configurable for various medical scenarios and equipped with advanced technology. The design concept reflects the unique Central Minnesota environment, taking students on a visual journey from lake to prairie to sky as they move through the building’s three floors.

Sustainability and equity were key drivers in the design process. The project adheres to Minnesota B3 requirements and incorporates AIA Framework for Design Excellence principles, focusing on creating healthier environments with improved indoor air quality, optimal lighting, and reduced energy and carbon footprints. Recognizing the growing diversity in Central Minnesota, the design includes appropriate washing and prayer areas to support an equitable environment for all students and patients, including the region’s Somali American population. By bringing medical education to where the patients are, this project sets a new standard for rural healthcare training, aiming to create a pipeline of physicians dedicated to serving their local communities.