Investing in a healthier Washington
The challenge: Growing shortages in the health professions
Like the nation, Washington State is facing a shortage of health professionals that is predicted to worsen dramatically in the next 10 to 20 years as our population ages and practitioners retire. Eastern Washington’s situation is even more acute:
- We already import 80% of our doctors from other states.
- Nursing—the largest single health profession in the world—faces critical shortages both in the profession and in faculty to teach the next generation of nurses.
- As medication regimes become ever more complex, the need for skilled pharmacists as part of the health care team grows.
Growing the health sciences campus of the future: The foundation is in place at the Riverpoint Campus
- Over 400 WSU College of Nursing graduates each year—more than any other four-year or two-year program in the state
- The WSU College of Pharmacy, with faculty experts in geriatrics, diabetes and other conditions who practice in the community while they prepare the next generation of pharmacists
- Three of the four years of undergraduate medical education
- Programs in nutrition and exercise, communication disorders, and other allied health professions that work as part of the health care team
- Graduate studies in health policy and in design—bringing other disciplines to bear on our efforts to become a healthier community and society
- Outstanding labs, technology and facilities that help us recruit top research talent and expand programs
- Designation by the Board of Regents naming WSU Spokane as Washington State University's Health Science Campus
Making the vision a reality: Next steps
-
Add the second year of medical school so students can finish all four years here.
-
Increase capacity to accommodate 100-120 students in each year of the program.
-
Build and fully equip the WSU Biomedical & Health Sciences Building to house classrooms and labs for medical research and teaching faculty, along with faculty in the WSU College of Pharmacy who will collaborate in medical education and research.
-
Develop sites and identify physician mentors for undergraduate clerkships and graduate residencies in Eastern Washington.
WSU Spokane: Meeting the need
At WSU Spokane we are creating a campus with a new culture of interprofessional health care education, research and practice. Our “Team Care” approach teaches physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals new ways to collaborate. Our students work side by side with researchers recognized as tops in their fields, giving them exposure to new discoveries and approaches—so you get the best possible treatment.
WSU Health Sciences: Research of strength and promise
WSU researchers in neuroscience, human behavior, sleep and performance, childhood health, addictions/substance abuse, and other health sciences bring around $10 million/year into the Spokane economy. Their discoveries translate into patents, publications in top scientific journals, improvements in practice to help us all become healthier, and recognition from their peers as some of the best in the world in their areas of expertise.
The Riverpoint Campus: A center for discovery, development—and investment
The campus lies at the intersection of downtown and the medical district—the sweet spot for growth of both public and private spaces for innovation and collaboration.
The state legislature has invested millions of dollars in excellent facilities for teaching and research, with support from the federal government for the latest technology. Opportunities for public-private development partnerships on and near campus await far-sighted investors and supporters who want to be part of the next big thing in Spokane.
Spokane: Partners and assets
WSU Spokane leads development of the Riverpoint Campus with the support and involvement of other universities and colleges, civic leaders, health care and medical providers, and the business community.
As the largest medical center between Seattle and Minneapolis, Spokane is a very cost-effective location for expansion of health sciences education and research. Area hospitals, clinics, physicians and related services create a rich environment for students and have capacity to expand clinical education sites.
We all share the same goal: A robust and growing health sciences research and teaching enterprise.
Healthier eastern Washington communities: Economic and community benefits
Beyond addressing our critical need for more healthcare professionals, growth in the health sciences at Riverpoint will translate into significant benefits for eastern Washington:
- Improved health care access: Adding more practitioners, particularly in rural and underserved areas, will improve access across the region. Teaching and research opportunities are also strong incentives for physicians and other providers to relocate here.
- Improved quality of care: Community-based interprofessional clinical education and research benefit physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals through exposure to the latest treatments and research opportunities.
- Sustainable economic impact: National economic impact research suggests eastern Washington will see direct economic impact of over $1 billion a year if we build out a full medical school program and continue our commitment to the existing base of health sciences/professions teaching and research. Benefits come through the creation of both construction and ongoing family-wage jobs, new business development, increased revenues to government and the ripple effect of contracts and expanded opportunities for existing businesses.
WSU Spokane and the Riverpoint Campus: A vibrant learning community where students, faculty and professionals come together to develop the big ideas it will take to create a healthier world.
Our top priority: Completion of the medical education now available in eastern Washington so students can take all four years of medical school here, and the new facilities we need to accommodate this expansion along with growth in pharmacy.
- Study calls for expansion of medical education and research in Spokane
- WWAMI medical education program at WSU Spokane
- Medical school expansion feasibility study (PDF)
- WSU College of Pharmacy
- Board of Regents' proclamation designating WSU Spokane as Washington State University's Health Science Campus
