From the moment we welcomed our first class of medical students to Baylor College of Medicine – Temple in 2023, updating our academic facilities has been a top priority. Thanks to tremendous support from individual, corporate and foundation donors in our community, the renovation of the Medical Education Building was completed in 2024. The facility allows us to train future health professionals for real-world clinical practice in a collaborative learning environment with advanced tools and technology.
The building features two floors specifically for student learning. The second floor, home to the Learning Community Center, has nearly 7,000 square feet of space to encourage student interaction and knowledge-sharing, including:
- Individual study rooms for personal focus time and group study areas for virtual learning sessions and meetings
- Respite rooms for students to relax and recharge between studying and clinic rotations
- A fitness center to help students better maintain their physical and mental health throughout their rigorous medical school curriculum
- Entertainment area with a large kitchen to foster engagement and relationship-building outside of class time
The third floor houses the Central Texas Center for Anatomical Sciences and Education, a safe, hands-on environment for students to learn human anatomy. This direct experience reinforces the knowledge gained in lectures and prepares them for real-world patient care. The third-floor update includes:
- A Gross Anatomy Lab allowing students to study the body’s major (gross) anatomical structures through visual observation and tactile exploration
- A Dry Skills Lab where students can develop procedural skills using computer simulations and a 3D Anatomage table
Looking to the future
Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation is continuing fundraising efforts for the final phase of renovations to the four floors in the Medical Education Center, adjacent to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple. The two academic facilities are connected by the Academic Pathway, ensuring a safe walking environment for learners, faculty and staff as they move between the two buildings.
