The University of Minnesota Medical School is expanding for the first time in 50 years.

Leaders from the University of Minnesota Medical School joined local lawmakers and CentraCare officials in a signing ceremony Monday morning to commemorate the future University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus – St. Cloud.

The idea is to train new physicians in the parts of the state that need them most and address the growing shortage of medical professionals and healthcare options in more rural parts of the state.

Dr. Jakub Tolar, dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School, and Dr. Ken Holmen, the president and CEO of CentraCare, both participated in the ceremony.

Tolar says many patients in greater Minnesota have to drive hours just to see a doctor.

“The solution is simple.  You need to get people from greater Minnesota to medical school.  You need to train them in greater Minnesota, and then they will come back to greater Minnesota,” he said.

Officials say the new campus will welcome its first class of 24 medical students in the fall of 2025.

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CentraCare hopes to transform its 60,000-square-foot administrative services building on the campus.

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The state Legislature previously authorized $15 million to support the project this session.