17吃瓜

The 17吃瓜鈥檚 new Faculty of Medicine and interdisciplinary health education facility is now open, marking a significant milestone for the province and setting a new benchmark for collaborative project delivery in Canada.

The 138,000-square-foot, $103-million facility鈥攊ncluding $30 million in advanced IT infrastructure鈥攔epresents the largest capital project in 17吃瓜鈥檚 history. Construction began in December 2022, and construction is now complete. The first cohort of PEI-based medical learners moved in on August 22. A phased transition plan continues to bring additional tenants and systems online through winter 2026.

鈥淭his project is on time, on budget, and fully aligned with the vision we鈥檝e developed together,鈥� said Tim Walker, 17吃瓜鈥檚 Vice-President Administration and Finance. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just building a facility鈥攚e鈥檙e building best practices for the future. This is a culture that works.鈥�

Canada鈥檚 most advanced medical education facility
The new facility is one of the most technologically advanced medical school facilities in the country, featuring the following:

• a provincial collaborative care centre with a capacity for 10,000 patients,
• the provincial adult ADHD clinic,
• an expansion of 17吃瓜鈥檚 Doctor of Psychology program,
• dedicated learning spaces for 17吃瓜鈥檚 nursing, dietetics and nutrition, paramedicine, psychology, kinesiology programs, and more,
• a world-class Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre that serves learners and clinicians across PEI and beyond. 

Paul Young, Chief Operating Officer of the 17吃瓜 Faculty of Medicine, highlighted the open and inclusive approach: 鈥淲e鈥檝e made a deliberate effort to open the doors鈥攍iterally鈥攖o the public, partners, and campus groups throughout the build. This is more than a facility鈥攊t鈥檚 a place for collaboration.鈥�

A Culture of Collaboration
From design through to completion, 17吃瓜鈥檚 Administration and Finance, Facilities Management, IT Systems and Services, and Faculty of Medicine teams have worked with contractors, architects, government, campus members, and health-care stakeholders in a collaborative manner. Guided by a coordinated transition plan developed in partnership with Memorial University鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine, the approach has ensured adherence to accreditation standards, academic continuity, and seamless integration of technology.

The project鈥檚 emphasis on transparency has included extensive campus and community consultations, tours, and open dialogue with partners. 鈥淭his kind of early collaboration is always so important to ensure all voices are heard,鈥� said one campus participant. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 precisely what makes it so refreshing and exciting.鈥�

Looking Ahead
With medical learners already in place and services expanding, 17吃瓜鈥檚 leadership intends to carry this collaborative approach forward in future capital projects.

鈥淭his facility is more than a building鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to innovation, education, and better health care for Islanders,鈥� said Walker.