University History

Summer, 2004

Beginnings

Multiple meetings are held by founders to formulate a plan to develop a health sciences university.

Founded

PNWU is founded as a 501(c)(3) corporation

February 16, 2005
June 30, 2005

Acquiring Land

$7.2 million of land is donated to the University.

Accreditation

The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board authorizes PNWU to offer the DO degree (doctor of osteopathic medicine).

March 6, 2007
May 16, 2007

Ground-breaking

Ground-breaking ceremonies are held for the construction of the first academic building on the PNWU campus, later to be named Butler-Haney Hall.

Provisional Accreditation

American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA) awards PNWU provisional accreditation. The recruitment of students begins.

August 26, 2007
March 22, 2008

Class Confirmed

The 75th student for the inaugural class is confirmed.

College Dedication

The dedication of the first college, College of Osteopathic Medicine, occurs.

July 23, 2008
June 23, 2010

Groundbreaking

PNWU hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cadwell Student Center.

$1m Donation for BHH Phase II

Osteopathic Foundation of Central Washington donates $1m for the BHH Phase II expansion project.

December 1, 2011
April 22, 2012

Accreditation

Accreditation of the COM awarded by the AOA COCA

Alumni Meeting

The first alumni meeting is held.

May 11, 2012
May 12, 2012

First Commencement

The inaugural class of COM students graduates.

Class Size Increase

AOA COCA grants request for COM class size increase from 70 to 135 students.

December 1, 2012
May, 2013

Butler-Haney Hall Phase II

Phase II of BHH is completed

Increased Class Size

Increased the COM class size matriculates from 70 to 135 students.

August 6, 2013
March 2015

Growing Campus

Additional acreage purchased bringing the campus to 66 acres.

University Conference Center

The University Conference Center opens as PNWU’s third building.

May 2015
June 8, 2016

Iron Horse Lodge

PNWU purchases Iron Horse Lodge.

Additional Accreditation

PNWU receives NWCCU accreditation two years ahead of schedule, opening the door for additional PNWU Health Sciences programs.

January 2018
April 3, 2018

Project NEXT

PNWU celebrates its newest building – a 35k sq. ft. space fit for innovative growth – with the Project NEXT Community Campfire.

Watson Hall Dedication

Project NEXT becomes Watson Hall at the Watson Hall building dedication.

September 27, 2019
December 16, 2020

Additional Program

PNWU earns accreditation to add a Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) program to a blossoming Yakima campus. “With MAMS, PNWU is able to help more learners from more communities realize their dreams of becoming health care professionals,” explained Dr. Michael Lawler, president of PNWU.

MAMS Program Starts

PNWU’s inaugural Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) class begin their studies on the grassroot university’s burgeoning health sciences campus. The one-year master’s degree program educates approximately 40 students each year under the university’s mission of improving healthcare access in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

August 9, 2021
March 17, 2022

Developing School of Dental Medicine

PNWU hires Dr. Fotinos Panagakos as the Founding Dean of its developing School of Dental Medicine (SDM). As he signs on to lead the health sciences university’s latest mission-focused program, Dr. Panagakos aims to establish a school capable of improving oral health outcomes for patients in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Care Elevated

PNWU hosts “Care Elevated,” celebrating the imminent rise of PNWU’s Student Learning Collaborative (SLC) building: an 80,000-square-foot campus hub designed to maximize the interprofessional potential available on our flourishing health sciences campus while providing facilities for the university’s next health sciences program: Occupational Therapy.

May 12, 2022
August 1, 2022

School of Occupational Therapy

PNWU begins accepting applications to enroll in its inaugural School Occupational Therapy (SOT) class, which is slated to begin in August 2023. PNWU’s SOT will offer both an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree and a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) degree. Approximately 40 students will be selected for the program, which has been designed to attract a diverse group of students who have a desire to help others live life to its fullest.

DPT White Coat Ceremony

The first ever PNWU Doctor of Physical Therapy White Coat Ceremony takes place at Yakima’s Seasons Performance Hall. The ceremony recognized PNWU’s inaugural class of 34 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, who began their studies at PNWU later that month.

August 10, 2022
October, 2023

Completion of MultiCare Learning Center

The University’s largest building to date, MLC will maximize the powerful collaborative learning potential of PNWU’s health sciences campus.
Equipped with expansive medical simulation facilities, active learning classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, enhanced study and meeting spaces, sustainable building technology and more, the 80,000-square-foot MLC will serve as a hub for PNWU’s dynamic collection of health sciences programs.

Groundbreaking ceremony for Dental Dental Equity Hall at PNWU

Groundbreaking of Delta Dental Equity Hall

A $12 million grant from Delta Dental of Washington enables PNWU to be the first dental school in the nation in which students will have three years of full-time immersive training at Federally Qualified Health Centers.

October 24, 2023
September 28, 2024
Delta Dental Equity Hall ribbon cutting ceremony

Ribbon Cutting of Delta Dental Equity Hall

A distinguished group of nearly 200 people gathered on campus to celebrate this important addition to the university, emphasizing how our School of Dental Medicine will use the stunning new space to advance dental education and community health.