WCU breaks ground on COM Institute for Primary Care

William Carey University hosted a ground-breaking ceremony Dec. 5 for the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Institute for Primary Care.

“This facility’s impact on our mission to provide health care to underserved communities is paramount. We hold the nation’s top ranking for service to rural communities, but our goal isn’t simply to maintain that level of service – but to expand primary care services to even more rural areas,” said Dr. Brett Golson, WCU vice president of spiritual development.

This passion is driven by our commitment as a Christian university to emulate Jesus and reflect Dr. William Carey’s commitment to help people with the greatest need.

Construction of the 60,000-square-foot complex will begin in the next few weeks – supported by a $20 million infrastructure grant through AccelerateMS, the state’s leading workforce development office.

Dr. Italo Subbarao, dean of the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine, thanked the “Champions of Mississippi” who made the project possible – state and local elected officials and agencies, medical organizations, WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett, the WCU Board of Trustees and WCU’s late president emeritus, Dr. Tommy King.

“The Institute for Primary Care represents a singular investment that will have generational benefit for all Mississippians,” Subbarao said.

“It’s an investment in healthcare that acknowledges the need for training and keeping more primary care physicians and healthcare providers in Mississippi. That’s key to better healthcare. It’s an investment that will touch and improve the lives of Mississippians throughout the state.”

The Institute for Primary Care will include:

• Largest Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine lab in the south
• Innovative simulation lab for obstetrics and pediatric training
• Large number of clinical rooms for patient meetings
• Conference center that will bring together people from the health care industry, and local health care providers, to exchange ideas and develop healthcare solutions
• Two large, immersive modular classrooms
• Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker said William Carey University walks in lockstep with its motto – Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.

“Today’s ground-breaking is the culmination of a series of great attempts that started with the founding of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. And here we are today, breaking ground on the Institute for Primary Care,” Barker said.

William Carey swings for the fences. And we, as a community with a pesky habit of punching above our weight, with a legacy of going after big things and getting them, proudly celebrate this day with you.

Construction on the Institute for Primary Care is expected to be complete in winter 2025.