Texas Woman’s University Celebrates Opening of Health Sciences Center
The $107 million facility will expand interdisciplinary training and community clinics, extending the reach of one of Texas’ top healthcare workforce educators
February 13, 2026 – Texas Woman’s University opened its new Health Sciences Center this week, unveiling a 136,000‑square‑foot, $107 million facility designed by SmithGroup. The building supports interprofessional education and community-facing healthcare services, bringing health disciplines together in a collaborative environment that mirrors how healthcare is delivered in the real world.
The Health Sciences Center represents a major investment in the future of healthcare education and workforce development in Texas, as well as a significant milestone for Texas Woman’s University as it celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. The facility was designed around the philosophy that the delivery of world-class healthcare is a collaborative effort, integrating advanced technology and purpose-built spaces that support interprofessional, interdisciplinary, real-world training.
"From day one, TWU had a vision that the new Health Sciences Center would innovate health education through a concept of Teach, Train and Treat,” SmithGroup Higher Education Studio Leader Clint Menefee said. "This facility provides teaching and learning opportunities through flexible classroom spaces. Their students train in high technology simulation environments, and they treat and serve their campus and surrounding communities through the on-site interprofessional clinic. We couldn't be more proud to bring their vision to life."
Noteworthy facility features include advanced simulation labs that simulate real-world clinical environments; ultra-modern classrooms; therapy and clinical training areas; collaborative workspaces; outdoor learning and therapy spaces; the Neva Hudiburgh Cochran Wellness Kitchen, which supports nutrition education across academic disciplines; and the Dawn S. Chaney West Commons, a beautiful gathering space that serves as the facility’s beating heart.
“The Health Sciences Center reflects a shared belief that education—when paired with innovation and compassion—can transform the health and wellbeing of our communities,” TWU Chancellor Carine Feyten said. “It is a powerful example of how collaboration and vision can create lasting impact for our students and for Texas.”
The Health Sciences Center enhances TWU’s long-standing leadership in healthcare education and its role as a major contributor to Texas’ professional healthcare workforce by enabling students from multiple health disciplines to train side by side in technology-rich, simulated environments that mirror contemporary healthcare settings. By expanding the university’s capacity for education, research, and community healthcare services—particularly in rural and underserved communities—the center directly supports efforts to address critical healthcare workforce shortages in Texas and prepares graduates to deliver collaborative, total patient-centered care from day one.
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About TWU
Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2024, TWU eclipsed a $125 million goal in its ongoing fundraising effort, DREAM BIG, which supports programming, equipment, scholarships, and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.
SmithGroup (www.smithgroup.com) is one of the world’s preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 20 offices in the U.S., a team of 1,600 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design, and delivery. The scale of the firm’s thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces.