KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 13, 2026) – Research College of Nursing, the most tenured nursing teaching institution in the region, and HCA Midwest Health, the area’s leading healthcare provider, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, to celebrate the opening of a new facility designed to advance nursing education and clinical training in Kansas City.

Located on the campus of Research Medical Center, the new 78,000-square-foot building is the result of a $36.5 million investment from HCA Healthcare and represents a continued commitment to supporting the healthcare workforce, addressing the national nursing shortage and expanding access to high-quality education.

ADVANCING NURSING EDUCATION AND CLINICAL TRAINING

The facility brings together Research College of Nursing and the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement in a single, integrated environment designed to support nurses at every stage of their careers. Research College of Nursing focuses on educating student nurses, while the Center for Clinical Advancement supports new graduate and experienced nurses as they transition into practice and continue building clinical skills.

Shared spaces include high-fidelity simulation labs, interactive classrooms and hands-on training environments that mirror real-world clinical settings. Dedicated debrief rooms allow learners to prepare for scenarios, evaluate performance and identify lessons learned. Using the same level of simulation and technology across all experience levels helps strengthen the transition from education to practice and supports ongoing development for nurses across HCA Midwest Health.

“This is an investment in our community and in the future of healthcare,” said Keith Zimmerman, President, HCA Midwest Health. “We know the strength of our health system depends on the strength of our people. By expanding access to education and training and preparing the next generation of skilled, compassionate nurses while supporting those already in practice, we are building a workforce ready to meet the needs of the region for generations to come.”

INVESTMENT IN WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION

This historic investment builds on HCA Healthcare’s long-standing commitment to education, including nursing education and graduate medical education programs that prepare clinicians to meet changing and growing healthcare needs. As the parent company of HCA Midwest Health and one of the nation’s largest educators of nurses, HCA Healthcare is also a leading sponsor of physician training programs, continuing to broaden access to education, training and career pathways.

The Center for Clinical Advancement extends learning beyond the classroom, supporting new graduate and experienced nurses as they transition into practice and continue developing their skills. This work complements HCA Healthcare’s broader investment in graduate medical education programs that train physicians and specialists across the region. At HCA Midwest Health, 12 accredited residency and fellowship programs will train approximately 200 residents and fellows this year, helping expand access to care across the communities the health system serves.

“The integration of Research College of Nursing and the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement creates a unique environment where learning and practice come together,” said Katie Bruels, DNP, RN, Division Chief Nursing Executive, HCA Midwest Health. “Students gain hands-on experience in settings that mirror today’s healthcare environments, while graduate and experienced nurses have opportunities to teach, lead and continue advancing their skills.”

This approach builds on Research College of Nursing’s long-standing focus on academic rigor and clinical readiness, while expanding capacity to educate and support the next generation of nurses.

“This new facility reflects where nursing education is headed,” said Amy Townsend, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, President, Research College of Nursing. “We are preparing students to enter the workforce with the skills and experience needed to deliver care from day one. By combining academic excellence with real-world clinical experience, we are strengthening the connection between education and patient care in a way that benefits our entire community.”

“HCA’s investment in nursing education is an investment in every Kansas City family interested in caring and exceptional care,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “HCA Midwest Health and the Research College of Nursing are building the future of healthcare in our community, and Kansas City couldn’t be prouder to be home to both.”

Investing in education remains central to HCA Healthcare’s approach to supporting the healthcare workforce and meeting the long-term needs of the communities it serves.

The opening of the new facility aligns with Research College of Nursing’s nearly 120-year legacy of educating nurses and developing leaders who serve communities across the region. The addition of the Center for Clinical Advancement further enhances opportunities for continuing education and professional development for HCA Midwest Health colleagues.

About Research College of Nursing

Research College of Nursing (RCoN) is the Kansas City area’s largest and longest-running, single-purpose nursing institution. It is ranked #7 Best Nursing School in Missouri, #1 in Kansas City, Missouri, and #27 in the Plains region by Nursing Schools Almanac’s 2024 report. RCoN students gain a unique pairing of educational excellence and the strength of the region’s leading healthcare system — HCA Midwest Health. Trusted for nearly 120 years, RCoN continues educating nurses, developing leaders and caring for communities.

About HCA Midwest Health

As the Kansas City area’s largest healthcare provider, HCA Midwest Health consists of seven hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers, and other facilities and services to meet area residents’ healthcare needs. HCA Midwest Health is one of the area’s largest employers, with more than 10,000 colleagues and a local economic impact of more than $1.4 billion annually. That includes more than $102 million annually in charity and uncompensated care and more than $200 million in federal, state, and local taxes to help improve the schools, roads, and infrastructure of the communities we serve. HCA Midwest Health facilities include Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Belton Regional Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, and Research Psychiatric Center. HCA Midwest Physicians, part of HCA Midwest Health, is a network of experienced, multi-specialty physicians throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Currently, HCA Midwest Physicians represents nearly 600 providers. It includes 80+ specialties, providing care in 150+ locations to serve our community. The physicians, licensed professionals, and support staff who comprise the HCA Midwest Health team are dedicated to improving healthcare in the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas to create healthier communities that lead to healthier tomorrows. For more information, visit hcamidwest.com.