University of Western States (UWS), a private integrated health sciences university serving Portland since 1904 and the second oldest chiropractic university in the world, has relocated its campus to a vibrant leading-edge facility at 8000 NE Tillamook St. The new campus includes a 150,000-square-foot structure constructed in 2006 that formerly housed the world corporate headquarters of Banfield Pet Hospital. The university was previously located at 2900 NE 132nd Ave. in Portland.
The university had originally planned to open its new campus doors for the spring quarter beginning April 6, 2020. Instead, administrators quickly regrouped and worked closely with the school’s information technology (IT) department to shift all classes online, allowing students to focus on distance learning services during COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. Students adapted quickly, sharing photos of their virtual classrooms on social media.
“As an institution of higher learning that has been in Portland since its inception in 1904, we are celebrating this relocation and our commitment to the community,” said Joseph Brimhall, DC, president of UWS. “Despite the global pandemic, we succeeded in meeting our timeline and completing this complex relocation. I am proud of our team for accomplishing this historic move in the midst of challenging circumstances. This campus relocation enhances opportunities for collaboration with other institutions and community partners and fosters a healthy and sustainable center for generations.
The university is world-renowned for its excellence in providing integrated health sciences education. The prominently located new campus allows the university to better serve students and provide health care to members of the Portland community. UWS currently employs more than 150 on-campus staff members, enrolls more than 1,200 students, and continues to evolve and develop.
The impressive new facility offers innovative and versatile spaces, featuring hands-on laboratories, expanded meeting spaces, dedicated study settings, and dynamic work areas for faculty and staff. The campus features an advanced healthcare facility designed to fulfill patient needs and provide exceptional opportunities for clinical training.
UWS offers health sciences graduate education in the fields of chiropractic medicine, human nutrition and functional medicine, sports medicine, diagnostic imaging, sport and performance psychology, and clinical mental health counseling. University students from across the nation and around the world complete their studies both on campus and online.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler extended his congratulations to UWS students, Brimhall and the university team, stating, “It’s great to see the University of Western States settling into its newly relocated campus in the Northeast quadrant. Especially during this challenging time in our world, I’m impressed at how quickly they adapted to a distance learning format to protect the health of their students. As one of Portland’s oldest institutions of higher learning, UWS will no doubt thrive in its new environment and continue to create the future leaders of our community.”
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer expressed his excitement for the congressional district, stating, “For the past 116 years, University of Western States has brought renowned health sciences programs and services to the Pacific Northwest. Its new modern campus promises to advance the art of integrated health care, which will help not only Oregonians, but patients around the world.”
“We’ve been anxiously awaiting this day since the university first announced its intention to move to the Madison South neighborhood,” said David Smith, president of the Madison South Neighborhood Association. “We welcome the UWS faculty, staff and students with open arms and look forward to the day when the shelter in place order lifts so our residents can explore the on-campus clinic.”
The campus relocation provides sustainability and stability during an era of significant institutional growth and development.
“University of Western States has created a unique opportunity to meaningfully engage members of our neighborhood as we serve the community,” said Dr. Brimhall. “We are excited to remain in Northeast Portland and look forward to physically moving into our campus and serving students for another 116 years!”
View a video about the move and virtually tour the campus. Additional details about the relocation can be found at uws.edu/facilities-planning.