Hammes Breaks Ground on FIU Academic Medical Center in Miami

MIAMI — Hammes, a Milwaukee-based national real estate consulting, development, investment and management firm, joined Florida International University, Baptist Health South Florida and community leaders May 27 for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center in Miami.

Hammes is serving as project manager for the seven-story academic medical center, which will include outpatient clinical space and an ambulatory surgery center. FIU selected Hammes based on the firm's specialized healthcare expertise and its track record delivering complex academic medical and healthcare facilities nationwide, according to the announcement.

Project Timeline and Scope

Enabling work for the project began in late 2025, with major construction now underway following the ceremonial groundbreaking. Construction is targeted for completion in late 2027, with an anticipated go-live in early 2028. Financial terms, total square footage and the general contractor are undisclosed as of the announcement date.

The center will expand medical education, clinical training and research opportunities in South Florida, according to FIU. The project is tied to FIU Health and the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and deepens the longstanding academic affiliation between FIU and Baptist Health South Florida. Baptist Health has served as a primary clinical training site for FIU medical students for years, and the new facility is intended to further strengthen Baptist Health's role as a teaching hospital system while expanding undergraduate and graduate medical education opportunities.

Quotes from Project Leadership

"We are grateful to Hammes and all project partners who are bringing the Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center to life to advance medical education, physician retention and innovation in patient care," said Osmel "Ozzie" Delgado, CEO of FIU Health. "This integrated academic and clinical environment will enhance collaboration among students, physicians, researchers and healthcare providers while supporting the long-term healthcare needs of our region."

"The Hammes team is honored to serve as FIU's project manager on this state-of-the-art academic health sciences center," said Wade Milligan, Hammes Healthcare Regional Vice President for the Southeast. "We have a highly experienced team in place committed to the successful delivery of this project for FIU and Baptist Health."

Hammes' Role in the Project

Hammes describes its national platform as spanning real estate consulting, development, investment and management, with a particular concentration in healthcare and academic medical facilities. FIU selected Hammes as its project manager because of the firm's specialized healthcare expertise and experience delivering complex academic medical and healthcare facilities nationwide, according to the announcement.

The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center is expected to open in early 2028, pending construction completion.

Sources:
Hammes — Hammes Celebrates Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center in Miami (June 9, 2026)