New Medical College Expected to Make Deep Impact

Written By: Sam Savage

Published Date: July 24, 2008 Last Edited: July 24, 2008

By David Lester

Maria Cadwell thought about attending medical school in Colorado, where she could pursue her chosen vocation of medicine and her avocation of skiing.

But she made a sharp turnaround when the chance to attend the new Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima became available.

Cadwell said she’s glad she did. She’s now member of the first class of future physicians to attend the new university.

“I am real excited to be so close to White Pass and Mount Adams and outdoor recreational activities,” said the 26-year-old graduate of the University of California at San Luis Obispo. “I’m from the Tri-Cities, and Yakima is an hour closer to the ski area.”

Cadwell is among the first 75 students to attend $20 million, 45,000-square-foot College of Osteopathic Medicine, which will be dedicated this afternoon in a ceremony expected to draw up to 500 people.

What began four years ago as an idea by a few local osteopathic physicians picked up steam when community and business leaders dropped their skepticism and came up with the seed money needed to get the plan through initial fundraising and accreditation hurdles.

By the time Cadwell graduates in 2012, the student body is expected to have as many as 400, according to current plans, with 200 on campus. The other 200, the third- and fourth-year students, will be undergoing clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics here and elsewhere in the region.

All of these students during their stays here will be buying or renting homes, purchasing groceries and clothing, attending local events and, in Cadwell’s case, skiing.

A 2006 economic impact study commissioned by the fledgling university estimated an annual payroll of nearly $6 million by 2012. Faculty and staff will spend more than $22 million on housing during that four-year period, and another $3.4 million on taxable household purchases.

The estimates are based solely on the first building on the campus, the College of Osteopathic Medicine that will be the subject of today’s dedication ceremony.

Organizers hope other colleges will be added for specialties, such as occupational and physical therapy and public health administration.

“In four years, there will be additional schools. I’m certain of that,” forecast Tim Morris, the university’s chief operating officer. “Part of that has been the board’s direction.”

Ultimately, the 42-acre campus could include nine additional buildings erected to train students in other health-care careers.

That has been the experience in rural Kirksville, Mo., home to the nation’s first osteopathic medical school.

Although much smaller than Yakima with a population of 17,000, Kirksville is home to about as many on-campus students as Pacific Northwest expects to have, about 200 to 300.

Their presence has had a major impact on the rural economy of northern Missouri, according to Alisa Kigar, executive director the past seven years for the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Kigar could not provide figures on the economic impact, but said it is significant.

“These people … are buying homes, cars, buying food, giving back to the community,” she said. “They are paying for entertainment.”

Not just economics

Unlike Cadwell, who opted to rent an apartment with two other students, Dr. Raul Garcia-Rodriguez bought a home on Scenic Drive.

Garcia, Pacific Northwest’s assistant dean of postdoctoral affairs, said he expects the university will have a major impact on real estate with upwards of 300 families, including faculty and students, residing in Yakima.

Garcia, who also is an emergency room physician at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, said he anticipates other economic spinoff benefits as well.

“Because we are bringing people here with different wants and likes, there will be a need for Mediterranean restaurants, more sushi bars and Chinese food and other kinds of cuisine,” said Garcia, who is of Cuban descent and grew up in Miami.

Garcia, 37, also foresees more entertainment opportunities and cultural events, a tourism boom and a more diverse population.

“You place 400 new students with families in this city and all the different cultures and habits, Yakima will be more of a melting pot than it is now,” he said.

Other benefits that don’t express themselves in immediate economic terms will aid the community and the region.

One is an improvement in the overall health of community residents.

Following its mission to provide quality care to communities of the Northwest, particularly underserved populations, the university is expected to increase the number of physicians in the area, historically a chronic problem for Central Washington.

It has certainly been the case in rural Missouri.

Kigar said the area is three hours from a major airport and has only one Wal-Mart in a 12-county area, but has a number of medical specialties available to Kirksville-area residents.

Kigar said the area has a low physician-to-patient ratio.

“They stick around. They love the rural lifestyle,” she said of Kirksville physicians.

Today’s Dedication

Mike Gregoire, husband of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, and a supporting cast in the hundreds are expected to be on hand for today’s dedication of the newest medical school in the country.

A ceremony to commemorate the $19.7 million Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is scheduled for 2 p.m. in front of the school at 111 University Parkway (formerly South 33rd Street) in Terrace Heights.

University officials say they expect more than 500 people from the Yakima community and as far away as Pennsylvania on hand.

Residents planning to attend are advised to arrive early because parking will be at a premium. Parking will be available at the Iron Horse Development building, at Terrace Heights Drive and University Parkway; the neighboring Yakima Valley Credit Union and along the street.

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