Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville State University (Jax State) Board of Trustees has approved a resolution authorizing the university to enter into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston’s Regional Medical Center (RMC) and DSF Development Company for the proposed construction of a new, single-story facility on the university’s main campus. The building will house a freestanding emergency department and a new RMC/Jax State Health Center.
Planned for more than 2.5 acres along Highway 21 North, adjacent to the future City of Jacksonville Fire Station, the project marks the latest chapter in a decades-long partnership between Jax State and RMC. The collaboration continues to evolve to meet the healthcare needs of students, faculty, staff, and the wider Jacksonville community.
“This is an exciting step forward for Jacksonville and our campus community,” said Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., President of Jacksonville State University. “We recognized the need for accessible emergency services and came to the table early, committed to a solution that benefits our students, our university, and our city. We’re grateful to RMC for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work together to see this vision become a reality.”
The connection between Jax State and RMC has been strengthened through years of collaboration. After RMC Jacksonville Hospital closed in June 2018, the facility was donated to Jax State just months after a tornado destroyed Wallace Hall, home to the university’s School of Nursing. The donation became the foundation for the College of Health Professions and Wellness, which today includes classrooms, labs, and advanced simulation spaces for nursing, respiratory therapy, and athletic training. It also houses the existing RMC/Jax State Health Center, which provides outpatient services to students, faculty, and staff.
The new facility will relocate the health center to the heart of campus, offering easier access to care for the university community. It will also include a freestanding emergency department operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department will feature treatment rooms, diagnostic imaging, ambulance access, a helicopter landing zone, and onsite parking.
“Our partnership with RMC is deeply rooted in a shared commitment to the health and well-being of those we serve,” Dr. Killingsworth said. “Bringing emergency healthcare directly to the Jacksonville community is a significant part of this project, and one that will benefit our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors for years to come. This initiative is a shared victory for Jax State, for RMC, and for Jacksonville and our surrounding communities.”
Following final approvals and completion of regulatory processes, construction is expected to take approximately 20 to 22 months, with completion anticipated in Spring 2028.
