University of Minnesota Breaks Ground on New Community-University Health Care Center

The Center offers a full range of medical, dental and mental health services, including pediatric care, midwifery and psychiatry. | Photo Credit: University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — University of Minnesota leaders and faculty, state officials, clinic staff and patient board members broke ground in May on a new Community-University Health Care Center building. Twice the size of the current clinic, the new, advanced facility will expand patient access, enhance care delivery and strengthen the University’s health professional training programs.  

Founded in 1966 by University of Minnesota Medical School faculty, the center is the state’s first and longest-running community health center, providing health and wellness care to low-income community members, refugees and immigrants. In 2025, the clinic served more than 12,000 patients through more than 53,000 visits.  

“The Community-University Health Care Center is where our University of Minnesota land-grant mission comes to life — expanding access to high‑quality, community‑centered care while training the next generation of health professionals alongside and within the communities they will serve,” said Dr. Carol Bradford, Interim Sean for the University of Minnesota Medical School and interim University Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, in a statement. “This new clinic strengthens our ability to meet patients where they are today and prepare our students to deliver compassionate, real‑world care for Minnesota’s future.” 

The Center offers a full range of medical, dental and mental health services, including pediatric care, midwifery and psychiatry. It also provides access to critical social services, including financial navigation programs, food support, interpreters and pro bono legal services offered in partnership with Stinson LLP. In addition to medical and social services, the clinic conducts and shares research that brings together community members, researchers and healthcare providers to advocate for and transform community health. 

The new clinic will add patient exam rooms and dental stations, on-site pharmacy services so patients can fill prescriptions on-site and new offerings such as physical therapy and imaging. With the expansion, the clinic will be able to accommodate an additional 36,500 patient visits over the next decade. 

The Community-University Health Care Center is one of the largest urban primary care training sites in Minnesota, annually providing interprofessional, experiential training to 175 residents and students from the University’s College of Pharmacy, Medical School, School of Dentistry, School of Public Health, School of Social Work and others. The new clinic will be able to expand its training opportunities in areas such as physical therapy, radiology and pharmacy.  

That educational mission is grounded in real-world care for a diverse and underserved community. The clinic provides care to a diverse patient population: its patients collectively speak more than 55 languages and most rely on public healthcare coverage. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the center provides accessible, affordable care regardless of ability to pay.  

That commitment extends beyond the exam room: the Community-University Health Care Center is jointly governed by the University of Minnesota and a community board of directors that includes patient representation, ensuring community voices shape what services are available and how care is delivered.  

The new facility is made possible by a $45 million renovation and expansion approved by the University of Minnesota, a $20 million capital campaign by the University of Minnesota Foundation and support from the Twin Cities philanthropic community. The building was designed by the design firm HGA and will be constructed by JE Dunn Construction. The current clinic will remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed by July 2027.  

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