Staff Writer
UCF officially opened the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on August 18, marking a major step forward in expanding access to nursing education and strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce.
Elected officials, university leaders, and founding donors gathered at UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included tours of the new facility. The pavilion was built to help address Florida’s critical nursing shortage and provide students with state-of-the-art training resources.
Expanding Nursing Education in Florida
With the opening of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, UCF will be able to graduate an additional 150 licensed nurses each year through its accredited, nationally ranked programs. This expansion is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s healthcare system, as nearly 85% of UCF’s 17,000 Knight nurse alumni remain in Florida, with about 60% working in Central Florida.
The new pavilion is equipped with advanced immersive modeling and simulation technologies, providing students with hands-on training that mirrors real-world medical scenarios. Its location next to UCF’s College of Medicine and within Lake Nona’s Medical City—a nationally recognized hub for healthcare innovation—will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research.
State and Donor Support
The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion was made possible through a combination of public and private support. The State of Florida contributed $43 million, secured in part by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson during his time as Senate President. Private donors added more than $29 million to the project.
Founding donors include the Dr. Phillips Charities, the Helene Fuld Health Trust, UCF Pegasus Partners AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children’s Health, Addition Financial, as well as individual contributors such as Zaby and Suree Vyas.
Building a Healthier Future
As Florida faces an increasing demand for skilled nurses, the opening of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion represents a critical investment in the state’s healthcare future. By expanding training opportunities and strengthening the pipeline of qualified professionals, UCF aims to ensure better healthcare access and improved outcomes for Florida’s communities.
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