ACOM holds groundbreaking for new $27M student wellness center

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Future doctors at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine are training to heal others, but soon they will have a dedicated space on campus to care for themselves.

ACOM turned the first dirt Wednesday during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new multi-million-dollar student wellness center and auditorium expansion.

The roughly $27 million project includes a 20,000-square-foot wellness center, a 10,000-square-foot auditorium, and two shelled-in floors designed for future campus growth.

“I think it’s something that will attract students, having the ability to unwind right here on campus, not have to go to a gym long ways away or a private facility somewhere else in the community,” ACOM Dean Dr. James Jones said.

The new auditorium will house ACOM’s upcoming Master’s in Biomedical Sciences program.

School officials said the entire project began by asking students directly what they wanted to see in a recreation and wellness space. Administrators took those student requests to architects to craft the final blueprints.

“It really shows that they do care about us and that they are looking for our concerns and what things that we may need in our lives,” ACOM medical student Ethan Dull said. “This is something that we would say would definitely be long overdue because as it stands now, it is just the campus.”

The state-of-the-art facility will feature comprehensive cardio and circuit training equipment, dedicated yoga and pilates studios, grab-and-go dining options, and expanded meeting and storage space for Student Government Association clubs.

Medical students noted that between demanding lecture schedules and intense clinical prep, finding time to commute across town for a workout can be a significant hurdle. Having facilities on campus removes that barrier.

“I think it’s huge. A big part of what we’re going through is growing up. Most of us are in our 20s, maybe in our early 30s,” said Delwin Maven, ACOM SGA Director of Wellness. “A commitment to furthering yourself as a person is just as important as it is to further yourself as a physician and in our education.”

For Jones, the investment addresses a core philosophy in osteopathic medicine: caring for the caregiver.

“We often say we should be our first patient,” Jones said. “In other words, we should learn how to take care of ourselves so that we can be there for our patients, whether it’s physical health or mental health.”

Construction on the wellness center and auditorium is expected to take 12 to 18 months, with completion projected for 2028.

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