OAKLAND, Calif.– Samuel Merritt University (SMU), a leader in healthcare education for more than a century, announced that its new flagship campus in downtown Oakland will officially open on January 5, 2026. The new campus marks a major investment in the future of healthcare education, designed to strengthen community partnerships, enhance workforce development, and advance health equity across the Bay Area and beyond.
“This campus is Samuel Merritt University’s commitment to the healthcare workforce development that our region depends on,” said Ching-Hua Wang, M.D., Ph.D., president of SMU. “By bringing thousands of our students, faculty, and staff to the city center, we are both honoring SMU’s 116 years of historic roots, revitalizing downtown Oakland, and shaping the future of health sciences education. This campus will be a catalyst for transformative impact on healthcare throughout the Bay Area and beyond in the next 100 years.”
With state-of-the-art simulation suites, specialty laboratories, and collaborative learning environments, the new facility is designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare settings. “With advanced simulation suites, specialty labs, and collaborative learning spaces, our students will train in settings that match the complexity of real healthcare,” said Brian Clocksin, Ph.D., provost of SMU. “These resources ensure that every graduate is practice-ready on day one and fully prepared to meet the needs of patients and communities.”
The opening of the downtown campus will also bring significant economic and social benefits to Oakland. By drawing thousands of students, faculty, and staff into the city daily, SMU expects to create a vibrant hub that boosts local businesses and supports small vendors through procurement partnerships. The campus will feature a café offering healthy, affordable meals, an on-site bookstore and spirit store, and multipurpose community rooms for local events and training programs.
Beyond its contribution to downtown revitalization, the new campus addresses a critical regional need for healthcare professionals. SMU plans to double its enrollment over the next decade, expanding the flow of trained healthcare workers into hospitals, clinics, and community organizations throughout Northern California. Its central location—adjacent to BART and surrounded by key city amenities—will make health sciences education more accessible to a diverse student population.
The new campus has also earned a Fitwel 3 Star Rating, recognizing its commitment to evidence-based design principles that promote physical, mental, and social well-being. “This achievement underscores that our new campus is built to support students, faculty, staff, and partners not just in learning and work, but in overall wellness,” said President Wang.
Samuel Merritt University’s downtown Oakland flagship represents both a return to its historic roots and a bold step toward the future of healthcare education, innovation, and community partnership.
