October 21, 2026
St. John’s University was recognized in the New Construction category for excellence in design, construction, and community impact at the 100th Annual Queens Chamber of Commerce Building Awards Gala, earning honors for its new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center on the University’s Queens, NY, campus. The recognition came during the chamber’s centennial celebration of the prestigious awards program, which has celebrated outstanding building projects across the borough since 1926.
Held at the iconic TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the gala brought together architects, developers, builders, business leaders, and public officials to commemorate a century of innovation in Queens’ built environment. According to the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Building Awards recognize projects that exemplify excellence in design, construction quality, sustainability, and contributions to the communities they serve.
Among this year’s distinguished honorees was the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at St. John’s, which received recognition in the Schools & Colleges category for Eastern Queens. The award underscored the University’s commitment to preparing the next generation of health-care professionals while investing in facilities that enhance both learning and service to the broader community.
“It was a privilege to be among the best builders of the borough,” said Brian Browne, Associate Vice President, University Relations, who represented the University at the festive awards ceremony. “This was a team effort, and the earliest days of this planning process took place during some of the darkest days of the global COVID-19 pandemic. We give credit to our architect, CannonDesign, and builder, Shawmut Design and Construction, for their perseverance. Special thanks to Queens Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Grech for hosting such a memorable event.”
The St. Vincent Health Sciences Center is one of the most significant additions to the University’s Queens campus in recent years. The state-of-the-art facility was created to support the growing demand for health sciences education and to provide students with leading-edge instructional spaces that mirror modern clinical and professional environments. Serving programs across multiple health disciplines, the center reflects St. John’s strategic vision of advancing education in fields that are increasingly critical to society’s well-being.
The building’s striking contemporary design quickly became a defining feature of the campus landscape. With expansive glass facades, collaborative learning spaces, advanced laboratories, and technology-enhanced classrooms, the center was designed to foster innovation and interdisciplinary learning. Its architectural presence symbolizes the University’s ongoing investment in academic excellence and its mission to prepare students for meaningful careers dedicated to service and care for others.
The honor also highlights the project’s broader impact on Queens. At a time when the health-care industry faces workforce shortages and rapidly evolving challenges, the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center provides a pipeline for educating future pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, public health professionals, and other health-care practitioners. By expanding educational opportunities and creating an environment that encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, the facility strengthens both the University and the communities its graduates will serve.
The recognition carried special significance because it was presented during the 100th anniversary of the Queens Chamber’s Building Awards. In announcing this year’s winners, Mr. Grech noted that the awards have celebrated the projects and professionals literally “building the future” of the borough for a century. The centennial milestone offered an opportunity not only to honor contemporary achievements but also to reflect on generations of visionary projects that have shaped Queens into one of New York City’s most dynamic and diverse communities.
For St. John’s, the award represents more than recognition for a new building. It affirms the institution’s longstanding relationship with Queens and its continued role as an anchor educational institution within the borough. Since its relocation to Queens in 1955, the University has remained deeply connected to the community, educating generations of students while contributing to the region’s economic, cultural, and civic life. St. John’s has been a member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce for decades. The St. Vincent Health Sciences Center continues that legacy by providing a facility designed to meet contemporary educational needs while creating opportunities for future growth.
“The St. Vincent Health Sciences Center stands as a beacon of innovation, reflecting a commitment to academic excellence, sustainability, and the Vincentian values that guide the institution,” said Brian Baumer, Interim Chief Operating Officer.
As University leaders, faculty, students, and supporters celebrate the achievement, the Building Award serves as a reminder of what thoughtful planning and investment can accomplish.
“Being honored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce during the landmark 100th Annual Building Awards Gala places the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center among the borough’s most notable recent construction projects,” remarked Anne Y. F. Lin, ’84CPHS, ’86Pharm.D., FNAP, Chin Ling and Sallie Wang Endowed Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “It is a fitting recognition for a facility that not only transforms the physical campus, but also advances our mission of educating compassionate, highly skilled, health-care professionals prepared to make a difference in Queens, New York City, and beyond.”