Health Professions Campus
The Washington County healthcare community officially expanded Aug. 17 when Pacific University formally dedicated its Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro. Since its founding in1849, Pacific University has been an educational leader in Washington County and the Pacific Northwest. Now, after 157 years in Forest Grove, Pacific is ready to open the doors to a new venture.
Just one year ago, Pacific University broke ground on the construction of a 105,000-square foot building -- Phase I of the Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro. The campus will house Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Dental Health Science and Pharmacy. Additionally, the College of Optometry and the School of Professional Psychology will both have clinics in Phase I, both open for public appointments.
Construction of the new campus has progressed almost flawlessly. There have been no surprises, no cost overruns, and no major delays with this construction project. Staff and faculty have been hired, and students are enrolled to begin classes August 28. Pacific University's College of Health Professions is ready to take a major step toward becoming the Northwest's campus of choice for private education in health professions.
At the dedication of the building Aug. 17, speakers included Pacific University President Dr. Phillip Creighton and Board of Trustee Chairman Tim Schauermann. Additional speakers included U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, U.S. Congressman David Wu and Hillsboro Mayor Tom Hughes. Pacific's partners in the project -- Tuality Healthcare President/CEO Dick Stenson and Gil Munoz, executive director of Virginia Garcia Center -- also spoke. More than 300 people were in attendance for the ceremonies.
During the building dedication ceremony, Dr. Creighton spoke of many wishes for the building."May this campus serve as a shining example of what different institutions can accomplish by collaborating to provide health services and education to our community," he said, referring to Tuality Healthcare and the Virginia Garcia Center. "It is not always a comfortable thing to do, but when organizations truly work together, the results can be remarkable."
The Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center is closing its Hillsboro clinic and moving those operations to the Pacific Health Professions Campus in October. Tuality Healthcare sold the property at 222 S.E. 8th Ave. to Pacific University last year for construction of the campus. The 105,000 square-foot building is Phase I of Pacific's Health Professions Campus. Phase II, a slightly larger building, is slated for construction in 3-5 years.
"May this campus serve as an economic engine for this community and region, generating not only new jobs but producing healthcare providers in critical areas of need," he said, referring to the economic impact on the city of Hillsboro.
Pacific's Hillsboro campus will be adding more than 700 students and faculty members who will be purchasing locally and using local services. When build-out is finished in 3-5 years, another 700 people will be added to the campus to benefit the local economy.
Creighton said that the Oregon Congressional delegation -- Senators Ron Wyden, Gordon Smith, and Congressman David Wu -- have been steady and enthusiastic supporters of Pacific University and the Health Professions Campus.
Senator Smith also presented a U.S. flag to President Creighton, which had flown over the Capital, to be flown at the Health Professions Campus.
A public open house at the Health Professions Campus will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., as part of a community-wide event in the downtown Hillsboro business district.
Pacific University, Tuality Healthcare and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center working together, that's now the gold standard for collaboration.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
For more information on the new Health Professions Campus please visit the Health Professions Campus Information Center.
