Elected officials and other guests will join Brown President Ruth J. Simmons and Edward J. Wing, M.D., dean of medicine and biological sciences, in a celebration to mark the start of construction for the Alpert Medical School’s new home in the Jewelry District. The ceremony begins at noon Monday, April 26, 2010, at 222 Richmond St. in Providence.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — At noon Monday, April 26, 2010, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University will mark the start of construction on its new home at 222 Richmond St. in Providence.

Rhode Island Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, and Michael F. Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, will join Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons and Edward J. Wing, M.D., dean of medicine and biological sciences, in “groundbreaking” ceremonies as the former Jewelry District factory is transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for medical education, the Alpert Medical School’s first real home.

Designs for the approximately 135,000 gross-square-foot project, created by Ellenzweig Associates, include a central atrium with entrances on both Richmond and Eddy streets. The building will feature lecture halls, an anatomy lab, case study and seminar rooms. It will enable Alpert Medical School to begin using the academy system, a concept that allows the medical school class to be organized in smaller subgroups for class teaching and mentoring. The Brown Corporation approved the design at its October 2009 meeting.

The new building will advance the revitalization of a historically significant area of Providence, as well as continue the city’s development of a “knowledge economy.” Its construction will provide immediate employment as well as long-term economic opportunities.

Editors: Media tours of the building may be arranged through the Office of Media Relations, (401) 863-2476 or [email protected].

Program for the Celebration

 

Who:
Scheduled speakers include:

  • Ruth J. Simmons, President of Brown University;
  • Edward J. Wing, M.D., Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences;
  • Donald L. Carcieri, Governor of Rhode Island;
  • David N. Cicilline, Mayor of Providence;
  • Michael F. Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council.

Herbert Kaplan will be among the honored guests. Kaplan represents the Warren Alpert Foundation, whose gift renamed the medical school in January 2007 and made development of a new home possible. Faculty, students, staff and friends of the University also will attend.

What:
Ceremony to mark the start of construction for the Warren Alpert Medical School’s new medical education facility and the University’s continued investment in the Providence Jewelry District

When:
12 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010
Private tours for media may be arranged prior to the celebration.
The program will conclude at 1 p.m. with the Ceremonial Moment.

Where:
222 Richmond Street in Providence