FIU breaks ground on medical center in Baptist partnership

The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center has officially broken ground at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique campus.

In partnership with Baptist Health South Florida, the $158 million 163,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in 2028 and feature academic learning spaces and outpatient multi-specialty services, including same-day surgery and diagnostic imaging.

Robins & Morton and Thornton Construction are partnering in a joint venture as the general contractor for the project, while Stantec will lead as architects.

“The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center represents the kind of visionary investment that elevates an entire community,” said Johnathan Peavy, Robins & Morton’s operations manager. “This project will not only expand access to care, it will strengthen the pipeline of future physicians and support the long‑term health of our South Florida community. We’re proud to help build a facility that will serve as a hub for education, research, and compassionate care for generations to come.”

In April, FIU Medicine was given a landmark $30 million gift from philanthropists Helen and Jacob Shaham. The Shahams built The Palace into a model in senior communities.

Their commitment to quality, dignity and innovation has impacted countless families, said Jeanette M. Nuñez, FIU’s president. They have employed and mentored FIU alumni and supported leading health institutions, including Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, key academic and clinical partners of FIU Medicine.

The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center will anchor FIU’s growing clinical enterprise, integrating education, research and patient care to establish a premier hub for academic medicine in South Florida, said Dr. Juan Cendan, dean of FIU Medicine and senior vice president for health affairs at FIU.

“This transformative gift empowers us to focus on what matters most – our students, scientific discovery and providing top quality health care” he said. “By expanding scholarships, we will create new opportunities for talented future physicians who both reflect and serve our community. With strengthened research support, we will drive breakthroughs that enhance patient outcomes. The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center will serve as a shining example of academic medicine and compassionate care.”