MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Marquette University broke ground on an expansion to its nationally ranked physician assistant studies program.

The new 44,000 square foot building will cost roughly $18.5 million. The addition was announced in March. Campus leaders say it will address the provider gap in primary care and help grow the program to become the largest in the region.

“The physical and strategic benefits of this new building on Marquette’s campus are many, but by far, the most vital outcome of this facility will be educating more top PA’s to meet a pressing need for highly trained healthcare providers,” said Dr. Bill Cullinan with Marquette University’s College of Health and Sciences.

Demand for enrollment in Marquette’s PA program has grown. The new facility is expected to open summer of 2019 and will welcome its first class that fall.