20 Jefferson REVIEW
Health Professions Academic Building Opens In February 2012, Jefferson opened the doors to its newest facility, the Health Professions Academic Building, located at 901 Walnut St. This 11-story, state-of-the-art highrise is connected by several bridges to the Edison Building on 9th Street and is the new academic home for the Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Professions, including the Departments of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Radiologic Sciences as well as the Jefferson Clinical Neuroscience Center. By consolidating physical spaces that were previously scattered across the 13-acre campus, Jefferson has created a centralized hub for administrators, educators, students and clinicians; this provides enhanced opportunities for collaboration and research. The building was designed with the environment in mind. “Green” initiatives — including a rooftop vegetation island to reduce urban heat and storm water management, occupancy sensors to reduce lighting energy use and waterefficient, low-flow plumbing fixtures — are incorporated throughout the space. The building is so “green,” it is expected to earn the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.