Last month, we celebrated an important milestone in RCoN history with the dedication of our new academic facility. This space was created to support how students learn today: connected, collaborative, and rooted in real-world experience. It expands our capacity, strengthens hands-on learning, and supports new programs built for the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.
This milestone brings exciting momentum for our students, our faculty and staff, our partners across HCA Midwest Health, and our Kansas City community. Inside this new building, confidence grows, compassion develops and nursing careers begin.
We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this possible and proud to continue our long tradition of education nurses in Kansas City.
April 8, 2026
Research College of Nursing (RCoN), in partnership with HCA Midwest Health, celebrated a ribbon cutting for its $36.5 million academic facility and the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement, expanding access to nursing education and clinical training to help meet growing healthcare workforce needs in the Kansas City region.
Leaders from Research College of Nursing and HCA Midwest Health gathered on April 8, 2026, to commemorate the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The 78,000-square-foot facility is located on the campus of Research Medical Center at 2110 E. Meyer Blvd in Kansas City, Missouri. The new building supports increased student capacity, strengthens hands-on learning, and provides space for programs aligned with today’s healthcare environment. The facility has already been in use, supporting students and clinical training, with the ribbon cutting serving as a formal celebration of this expansion.
Expanding Nursing Education for Today’s Students
The new academic space was designed to support collaborative learning, real-world application, and modern instructional technology. It enhances the college’s ability to deliver high-quality nursing education in Kansas City while improving the overall student experience.
The building includes:
- Advanced simulation labs designed to replicate clinical environments
- Interactive classrooms that support collaborative learning
- Hands-on training spaces focused on patient care
- Dedicated debrief rooms to reinforce clinical decision-making
These resources help ensure students graduate prepared to enter the workforce with confidence and practical experience.
Strengthening the Nursing Workforce in Kansas City
The facility brings together Research College of Nursing and the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement in one location, creating a direct connection between education and clinical practice while supporting healthcare workforce development in Missouri.
Research College of Nursing focuses on preparing nursing students, while the Center for Clinical Advancement supports new graduates and experienced nurses as they transition into practice and continue building their skills.
“This is an investment in our community and in the future of healthcare,” said Keith Zimmerman, President of HCA Midwest Health. “Expanding access to education and training helps ensure we are preparing a strong, capable workforce for the region.”
Supporting Clinical Training and Career Growth
The Center for Clinical Advancement provides ongoing training and development opportunities, including support for nurses entering the profession and resources for experienced clinicians looking to advance their skills.
The use of consistent simulation technology across all stages of a nurse’s career strengthens the transition from education to practice and supports continued professional growth.
“The connection between the college and the Center creates an environment where learning and practice come together,” said Katie Bruels, DNP, RN, Division Chief Nursing Executive at HCA Midwest Health. “Students gain valuable experience, and nurses at every stage of their careers have opportunities to grow.”
Preparing Nurses for the Future
“This new facility reflects the direction of nursing education,” said Dr. Amy Townsend, President of Research College of Nursing. “Students benefit from both strong academic preparation and real-world clinical experience, which better prepares them to care for patients from day one.”
The building supports evolving programs designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s healthcare workforce.
A Continued Commitment to Kansas City
The opening of the facility builds on Research College of Nursing’s nearly 120-year history of educating nurses and serving the Kansas City community. It also strengthens its partnership with HCA Midwest Health, the region’s largest healthcare provider.
HCA Midwest Health includes seven hospitals and a broad network of care sites, with more than 10,000 colleagues serving patients across the region. The organization also invests in physician training through residency and fellowship programs, helping expand access to care.
A Milestone for the College and Community
The ribbon cutting ceremony on April 8, 2026, marked an important milestone for the college, its partners, and the community.
The new facility provides a place where students begin their careers, build clinical confidence, and contribute to the future of healthcare in Kansas City and beyond.
