University of Central Florida breaks ground on new Lake Nona medical center

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - The University of Central Florida (UCF) is breaking ground on a new medical center in Lake Nona.

An 11-acre site will become the UCF Lake Nona Medical center, as well as the College of Medicine's Teaching Hospital, creating more than 600 residency slots.

Abdo Asmer of the UCF Internal Medicine Residency Program says that "to be able to have a medical  teaching hospital right next to the medical school -- that means to students who are looking at coming to UCF, for faculty that want to come here. This is really a tremendous day for us all."

HCA North Florida is building the $175 million teaching hospital right next to the medical school. Second-year UCF Medical Student, Kailisa Pendem, says that "having a teaching hospital will allow UCF to become a leading medical school in Florida and across the country."

When the hospital opens in the Fall of 2020, medical students will have one year left before graduating, giving them just enough time to take advantage of the facility and learning opportunities.