Next Chapter of Healthcare Innovation

Where Innovation Meets Mercy

HIC

In the new Frances M. Maguire '55 Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC), which opened in August 2025 and was officially unveiled in September 2025, GMercyU prepares students to address the healthcare needs of today and tomorrow, with the goal of improving access and equity for all.

Made possible by a transformational $10 million gift from the Maguire Foundation, it is the largest academic building on GMercyU's campus. 

"For more than 70 years, GMercyU has distinguished itself as a leader in preparing healthcare professionals who combine clinical excellence with genuine compassion,” said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, President of GMercyU at the unveiling. “With the opening of the Frances M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center, we are extending that legacy and positioning our students to meet today’s workforce demands and shape tomorrow’s care."

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Features of the Frances M. Maguire '55 Healthcare Innovation Center 

In the HIC, healthcare majors collaborate with students in many other majors as they learn to advocate for the "whole" patient. The new 63,000-square-foot building features: 

  • 9 classrooms and 12 student study rooms, including the Guardian Angel Fund Speech-Language Pathology Suite

  • 9 skills labs and 15 state-of-the-art simulation rooms, including 3 exam rooms (maternity, patient care, pediatric) and home care/studio apartment settings

  • The Frances Cannata Stimmler ’66 and Joseph Stimmler Inspiration Station, a multi-functioning space for seminars, speakers, and large-scale simulation experiences where GMercyU partners with community healthcare, emergency management, and other municipal services for emergency preparedness drills

  • The Jie Du, PhD Healthcare Innovation Commons, a two-floor atrium featuring numerous gathering spots for students and faculty

  • Guardian Angel Fund Speech-Language Pathology Suite

  • Windmill Foundation Nurses’ Station, Robert and Joyce Asher Nursing Debrief Room, and the Dr. Ellen and Mr. Eric Stang Nursing Simulation Coordinator’s Suite

  • High-tech learning tools including:
    • Simulation manikins with interchangeable parts and accessories to create a variety of simulated patients with various skin tones
    • Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Teaching (VERT) simulated radiation therapy system
    • ASL-5000 lung simulator, capable of replicating a wide range of lung conditions for patients of all ages, among others

  • A self-serve café and outdoor gathering spaces

Find Your Path

Now more than ever, there is a tremendous demand for healthcare professionals of all kinds. In the HIC, GMercyU brings together students from various majors to learn how to meet the diverse needs of patients, families, and communities.


Computer Information Science – Technology plays an increasingly critical role in providing high quality, patient-centered healthcare. With access to the latest tools, technology and real-world learning experiences, GMercyU students can choose from three concentrations: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Computer Forensics, and Web Design & Multimedia.

Exercise Science — It isn’t just about working out. It’s about understanding the science behind how bodies work and how to make them work better. Whether you're analyzing muscle growth, preventing injuries, or helping athletes perform at their peak, this field is all about empowering people through movement. 

Medical Laboratory Science – Identify sources of disease and assess data to enable physicians to make a diagnosis or determine treatment. A career with no direct patient interaction, this is a perfect choice for science-lovers seeking a “behind the scenes” role.

Nursing – Meet the urgent need for more nurses. GMercyU nurses are widely known for providing patient-centered compassionate care in the Mercy tradition, also emerging as advocates for greater equity and access to a healthier society.

Employers want GMercyU nurses! Thanks to GMercyU partnerships, you could launch your career at one of several health systems and receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment funds. 

Occupational Science/Therapy – Improve a patient’s ability to complete everyday tasks and dramatically improve the quality of life of those with physical or developmental challenges. With GMercyU’s 3+2 program, students can earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years.

Psychology – GMercyU’s degree prepares students to dive immediately into full-time work after graduation. Or, save time and tuition earning your master's degree with GMercyU's 4+2 Early Entry to the Master of Science in Counseling Program to pursue licensure as a therapist or counselor.

Public Health – With a focus on disease prevention and health promotion, the field of public health allows students to develop and apply a diverse set of skills to reduce the health effects of issues impacting communities, such as chronic diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, opioid misuse, climate change, smoking, and gun violence.

Radiation Therapy – Collaborate with teams of specialists to expertly locate and neutralize cancer using cutting edge equipment. GMercyU’s Virtual Environment for Radiation Therapy (VERT) machine helps students build confidence in their skills before working with patients.

Radiologic Technology – Help physicians diagnose patient diseases and conditions by performing x-rays, computed tomography (CT), MRI, mammography and other diagnostic medical imaging procedures.

Respiratory Care – Meet the urgent need for more Respiratory Therapists who evaluate, diagnose, and treat heart and lung issues, including chronic diseases and emergencies. GMercyU’s program is ranked in the top 1 percent nationwide for success in preparing students to become licensed Respiratory Therapists. 

Exciting career and loan repayment opportunities are available for Respiratory Care and Radiologic Technology students, thanks to GMercyU partnerships.

Social Work – Learn to address economic and social justice concerns, from homelessness to community violence, substance abuse, organizational diversity, and child welfare. GMercyU’s Mercy values make a real difference in preparing social workers who help lift people up. 

Speech-Language Pathology – Undergraduate students can minor in Speech-Language Pathology, which fulfills the prerequisite courses required for GMercyU's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) program and others like it, opening another exciting career path for students. Already have a bachelor's degree but want to pursue a new SLP career? We also offer a one-year, online SLP Prerequisites program.

GMercyU also offers graduate programs in Counseling, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and more.