New Upstate Medical University academic building paves way for health care expansion

Students at Upstate Medical University’s College of Nursing and other health profession programs have a new home in a brand new state-of-the-art building in Syracuse. The $40.5 million, five-story academic building is tucked behind Weiskotten Hall and Silverman Hall just off South Crouse Avenue. Interim Nursing School Dean Don Simpson says it will offer opportunities for programs to grow in an already burgeoning field. "There are two things that are really driving expansion in terms of need for health care with regard to what I call the silver tsunami, which is the retirement age. Baby boomers are aging and retiring and needing more services, and with pent up demand from the Affordable Care Act we’re beginning to see the need for additional testing, additional health care," Simpson said. The 80,000-square-foot structure brings together Upstate College of Nursing and other selected programs, such as physical therapy, physician’s assistant and radiation therapy. Simpson says putting