Highlights:
- LECOM at Jacksonville University officially breaks ground on a new facility
- Facility will serve as the cornerstone of Jacksonville University’s expanding Medical Mall
- Inaugural class of medical students set to begin coursework in 2026
- New medical school expected to support 600 jobs
Jacksonville, Fla. (March 26, 2025) — With shovels in the ground and a shared vision for the future of healthcare education, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Jacksonville University have achieved a historic milestone, breaking ground on LECOM at Jacksonville University, the region’s first medical school.
Situated within Jacksonville University’s Medical Mall, this state-of-the-art facility represents a major leap forward in healthcare education and demonstrates a promising future for medical training in Northeast Florida.
“LECOM has always been dedicated to advancing medical education, and the opening of our new campus in Jacksonville is a pivotal moment for the region’s healthcare future,” said John M. Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO of LECOM. “This facility will not only train the next generation of physicians but also strengthen the healthcare workforce in Northeast Florida, improving access to quality care and addressing the region’s growing medical needs.”
LECOM is investing approximately $50 million to develop its Jacksonville location, with an estimated economic impact of $91.1 million for the state of Florida and the city of Jacksonville. By 2030, the project is expected to support more than 600 jobs and provide an estimated economic impact of $60 million per year.
LECOM, the nation’s largest medical college and osteopathic academic health system, is recognized for producing more primary care physicians than any other U.S. medical school. The institution’s innovative, student-centered approach and commitment to affordability make it a leader in medical education.
“With the ground breaking of LECOM at Jacksonville University, we are creating a premier educational environment that will nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Silvia M. Ferretti, D.O., Provost of LECOM. “This facility will provide our students with cutting-edge resources and hands-on learning opportunities, preparing them to excel in their medical careers and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in the region.”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan emphasized the significance of the project for the region’s healthcare landscape, stating, “LECOM, the region’s first four-year medical school, is a fantastic addition to Jacksonville University, our region’s medical system and city as a whole. Jacksonville has some of the best healthcare institutions in the country. The addition of LECOM will ensure we have the doctors to support our fast-growing city for decades to come. I look forward to seeing the impact LECOM and its inaugural graduating class will have on our community.”
LECOM at Jacksonville University is set to welcome its inaugural class of approximately 75 medical students to its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program in 2026, with total enrollment expected to grow to nearly 150 students per year within five years.
“This is an extraordinary moment for our university and the city of Jacksonville,” said Tim Cost, president of Jacksonville University. “LECOM at Jacksonville University, anchored within our expanding Medical Mall, will transform the north end of our campus into a hub for healthcare innovation. The Medical Mall will complement our existing Health Sciences Complex and Dolphin Pointe Health Care, creating a dynamic ecosystem of education, clinical training and patient care. We are proud to play a pivotal role in bringing a four-year medical school to Jacksonville and positioning our community at the forefront of healthcare innovation and education.”
In addition to the hundreds of local Northeast Florida physicians and the Duval County Medical Society, who have played a vital role in training students during their clinical rotations, several official clinical education partners will welcome third- and fourth-year medical students from LECOM at Jacksonville University. These partners include Baptist Health, Nemours Children’s Health, and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital. Additional clinical training sites include Ascension St. Vincent’s, Jacksonville VA Clinic, Cancer Specialists of North Florida, Borland Groover, Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, Duval County Medical Examiner’s Office, HCA Memorial Hospital, MBB Radiology, UF Health St. Johns, AdventHealth, Island Doctors, Southeast Orthopedics, Wekiva Springs Center and Gateway.
Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the United States. Built on the philosophy that physicians should treat the whole patient, rather than just symptoms, osteopathic medicine takes a holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. According to the Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, the number of osteopathic physicians in the U.S. climbed to nearly 135,000 in 2021 — an 80% percent increase over the past decade. Today, more than 25% of medical students in the U.S. are training to be osteopathic physicians.
LECOM at Jacksonville University joins four other LECOM locations across the country, including campuses in Bradenton, Fla., Elmira, N.Y., Greensburg, Pa., and the college’s flagship location in Erie, Pa. The institution has also developed clinical education agreements with more than 100 hospitals and clinics across 10 states, including multiple partnerships in Florida.
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About LECOM
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is the largest medical school in the country and was established in 1992 in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 2004, LECOM expanded to Bradenton, Florida, followed by additional locations in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Elmira, New York. LECOM’s mission is to prepare students to become osteopathic physicians through excellence in education, research, clinical care, and community service, enhancing the quality of life through improved health for all. The institution is dedicated to innovation in curriculum and postdoctoral education, as well as fostering interprofessional healthcare experiences.
About Jacksonville University
As Northeast Florida’s premier private institution of higher education, Jacksonville University is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities in the South and is named one of America’s Top 500 Colleges by Forbes. Founded in 1934, the University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including in-demand degrees in nursing, business, law, marine science, engineering, finance, and psychology, as well as those in the highly specialized fields of aviation, communication sciences and disorders, film, animation, and healthcare administration. With its five colleges, eleven schools, and four institutes, Jacksonville University’s 235-acre riverfront campus is just minutes from downtown and the beaches. For more information, visit ju.edu.
Media Contacts:
Jacksonville University
Matt Harris
Director of Communications
LECOM
Jacqueline Nie
Marketing & Communications Specialist