The COMmunicator Spring 2023 | Page 3

Concurrent with the completion of this building, UNE has expanded our IPE Clinical Simulation Center (IPECSC) by 50% and we are relocating and expanding the Standardized Patient Center from Biddeford to Portland, opening many more opportunities for IPE/IPP training for our health professions students.  Upon the move to the Portland campus, the UNE COM pre-clinical curriculum delivery will take place primarily in the Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences (HBACHS). Details of the building and the enhanced learning spaces can be found in the UNE Magazine, on The Plan to Move UNE's Medical School page, and our Sustainable Building Design page.

You can read more local coverage of the Ground-Breaking Ceremony at NEWS CENTER Maine, WMTW, and WGME.

 We plan to start classes in the new building in July 2025. Hope to see you there!

 

I hope you and your loved ones are well,

All My Best,

Vice President for Health Affairs                                                                                                                                              Dean, University of New England

College of Osteopathic Medicine                                                                                                                            

Dear COMmunity,

On a sunny but cold Nov 29th we held the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the new UNE COM facility, which will be known as the Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences (HBACHS). The event was attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and even a few COM Founders. The new building will bring the COM students into the center of our Portland based, health sciences campus, and give the osteopathic medical students a presence in the interprofessional education activities, and enhance opportunities for collaboration between UNE’s health professions programs (nursing, dental medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, dental hygiene, nurse anesthesia, advanced practice nursing, public health, social work and now osteopathic medicine). The 110,000-sf building is specifically designed to accommodate the proposed increase in class size from 165 to 200 medical students, with room for future growth. 

Letter from the Dean