NHBC Academic Laboratory

At NHBC, our mission is to empower Southern Nevada healthcare by advancing innovation, access, and education. The new NHBC Academic Laboratory will be a cornerstone of that mission an operate as a premier facility in the Las Vegas Medical District designed to accelerate diagnostic testing, research, and clinical training across the region.

The Project

NHBC Academic Laboratory

This 34,000-square-foot, two-story facility represents a $44 million investment in Nevada’s public health future. Developed by NHBC in partnership with the City of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and operated by University Medical Center (UMC), the lab will strengthen the region’s medical infrastructure by keeping critical testing and research within the state.

This laboratory represents the next critical step in Nevada’s journey to build the health infrastructure residents deserve.
– James Waddoups, President & CEO of NHBC

In collaboration with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, the Academic Laboratory will provide hands-on training for medical students, residents, and fellows in key specialties including microbiology, virology, toxicology, and pathology.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for December 2025, with an anticipated opening in December 2026 and will mark a significant step toward a stronger, more self-sufficient healthcare ecosystem for Nevada.

The Purpose

Empowering Nevada’s Medical Future

Born from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHBC Academic Laboratory is designed to close the gaps in Nevada’s public health capacity—building a faster, smarter, and more sustainable healthcare network.

This state-of-the-art facility will:

• Deliver same-day diagnostic and reference testing for hospitals, clinics, and public agencies.
• Establish Nevada’s first SAMHSA-certified drug testing laboratory, serving healthcare, government, and private industry.
• Include a blood-bank reference lab and donation center to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on out-of-state providers.
• Serve as a training and research hub for UNLV and UMC, nurturing Nevada’s next generation of medical professionals.

By integrating innovation, education, and efficiency, the NHBC Academic Laboratory will reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and ensure Nevada’s healthcare system can meet the challenges of tomorrow.

The NHBC Academic Laboratory represents exactly the kind of forward-looking initiative that will create opportunities for future generations of doctors, nurses, and researchers and ensure our state can meet its growing health care needs for decades to come.
– Nicole Cannizzaro, Senate Majority Leader

The Process

Collaboration in Action

The NHBC Academic Laboratory is a model of collaboration between public, private, and academic partners—including NHBC, UMC, UNLV, the City of Las Vegas, and the State of Nevada. Together, these organizations are shaping a medical infrastructure built for long-term growth and resilience.

Once complete, the facility will:

• Keep more than $5 million annually in-state by eliminating the need for out-of-state testing.
• Expand Nevada’s academic and bioscience pipeline, supporting new programs and research opportunities.

This is more than a construction project—it’s a strategic investment in the health, education, and empowerment of Southern Nevada.

Nevadans deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare, and the NHBC Academic Laboratory represents a critical step forward in that endeavor. I’m grateful to NHBC and our local and federal partners for delivering this state-of-the-art healthcare facility.
– Joe Lombardo, Governor