Yakima’s New Medical University Secures State Funding to Support Future Growth

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences was awarded $800,000 in state funding to be used in the hiring of faculty to oversee the training of third- and fourth-year medical students during their clinical rotations. “This will be a real boost to the medical school,” Rep. Norm Johnson, Yakima, said in a news release. “It will help the school to expand its mission to train health care professionals and family practitioners who will set up their practices throughout Washington.”

According to Dave McFadden, president of Yakima County Development Association, “This funding proves our state leaders see the value of our new university. It will go far in assisting with the training of physicians for the Yakima region.”

The university is the first medical school built in the Pacific Northwest in 60 years. Its mission is training family physicians to serve in rural Northwest communities. It opened in 2008 with 75 students and plans on accepting 135 students this fall between their three colleges: 75 for the College of Osteopathic Medicine, 30 for the College of Allied Health Services, and 30 for the College of Post Graduate Studies.

Attributed, in part, to the Yakima Herald-Republic