School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

The new School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPHP) at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES) is transforming how the state’s oldest HBCU educates the next generation of healthcare professionals. Designed to unify previously scattered programs under one roof, the three-story, state-of-the-art facility consolidates the university’s pharmacy, kinesiology, physician assistant, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services into a single interdisciplinary hub for research, collaboration, and community engagement.

Engineering for Health and Discovery

In partnership with Ayers Saint Gross and Shepley Bulfinch, Mueller Associates provided comprehensive mechanical and electrical engineering design for the new SPHP building, creating an advanced infrastructure that supports complex teaching, laboratory, and simulation environments. The facility features a 120-seat auditorium, dispensing labs, anatomy and physiology suites, research spaces, and computer labs—each designed for optimal comfort, ventilation, and energy efficiency.

High-efficiency HVAC systems maintain precise temperature and humidity control across diverse academic spaces, while smart lighting and energy management systems enhance functionality and reduce operational costs. Mueller’s design integrates flexibility to accommodate future program growth and new health technologies.

Interdisciplinary Learning in Action

The SPHP fosters true interprofessional education through interconnected laboratories, simulation suites, and collaborative research areas. Mueller’s infrastructure design ensures seamless operation of technology-driven learning environments, enabling students from multiple disciplines to engage in hands-on, team-based care training.

Flexibility, Technology, and Community Impact

The building’s multipurpose assembly and meeting spaces extend beyond academia, supporting regional health and wellness programs, professional certification courses, and continuing education opportunities for healthcare providers. Designed for adaptability and sustainability, the SPHP reinforces UMES’s expanding role as a Carnegie-classified Doctoral University and a leader in advancing health equity.