UC Riverside leaders reflected on the 10-year anniversary of the School of Medicine and looked to the future as they celebrated the opening of a new educational building.
More than 300 guests attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the School of Medicine Education Building II on Tuesday, Sept. 26, including local legislative leaders and two members of the UC Board of Regents.
The five-story building, located next to the existing SOM Education Building, features a major increase in instructional and administrative spaces including four lecture halls, student lounges, and study areas. Capacity has increased to 125 students per classroom or a total of 500.
“The new building provides modern and thoughtfully designed learning and study spaces that will not only serve our students but the entire community,” said Dr. Deborah Deas, vice chancellor of health sciences and the Mark and Pam Rubin Dean of the UCR School of Medicine.
Local leaders who advocated for state budget support for the $100 million project were on hand for the celebration, including state Sen. Richard Roth, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, and former Assemblymember Jose Medina.
Several speakers said the School of Medicine has helped increase access to health care in Inland Southern California in its 10 years, including by addressing the region’s shortage of physicians.
“From White Coat ceremonies to graduation ceremonies, this building will be the place that changes lives and the place that spurs live-saving and life-improving treatments everywhere UCR medical students practice and serve,” said UC Regent John Perez, a former Assembly speaker.
Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox said the new building allows School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff members to come together as a community in one location.
“We’ve always had that sense of community in our school, a feeling of fellowship that comes from shared attitudes, goals, and insights, but now we have a physical space that matches those kinds of aptitudes and aspirations,” he said.
Read more about the grand opening at the School of Medicine’s website.
See photos from the ceremony below.
