UWS selects enhanced campus location and remains in Northeast Portland
University of Western States (UWS) is relocating its campus to 82nd Avenue and NE Tillamook Street. The five-acre property includes a 150,000-square-foot building constructed in 2006 that formerly housed the corporate headquarters of Banfield Pet Hospital. The impressive facility offers an innovative and versatile space that features active learning spaces, hands-on laboratories, expanded meeting rooms, dedicated study settings, and dynamic work areas for faculty and staff. The new campus showcases a modern health care facility designed to fulfill patient needs and provide exceptional opportunities for clinical training.
Founded in 1904, UWS offers health science and health care professions education in 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. UWS currently employs more than 150 on-campus employees, enrolls more than 1,200 students, and continues to grow and expand.
In April 2018, the UWS Board of Trustees announced its search for additional campus space to support the growth and diversification of the university, and placed the current 20-acre, 10-building campus on the real estate market. In November 2018, Linfield College School of Nursing revealed it had purchased the current UWS campus. UWS will lease the campus from Linfield College through April 2020. The university is relocating the entire institution and operations including all students and departments by early 2020.
“As we approach our 115th year, we are celebrating this relocation and advancement,” said Dr. Joseph Brimhall, president of UWS. “The new campus space offers active learning areas for students, increases the visibility of and accessibility to the UWS clinic, enhances opportunities for collaboration with other universities and community partners, and creates a healthy and sustainable campus for generations to come.”
UWS selected the 82nd Avenue facility for a variety of reasons, including closer proximity to inner Northeast Portland.
Mayor Ted Wheeler said, “I’m very pleased that the University of Western States will be able to expand its services for local residents, create job opportunities, and add to the vibrancy and activity of Northeast Portland. As one of Portland’s oldest institutions of higher learning and the world’s second chiropractic university, UWS has been and will continue to be a vital part of the Portland community. Congratulations to UWS students, Dr. Brimhall and the university team.”
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer expressed his excitement for the university’s decision to remain in Portland and in his congressional district. He said, “University of Western States has brought great health sciences learning and services to the Pacific Northwest and to the world. Congratulations to Dr. Brimhall and the university on this new Portland location.”
The new campus is in a more prominent location, allowing the university to more easily serve its new neighborhood and the Portland community.
“We are thrilled to welcome the faculty, staff and students of University of Western States to the Madison South neighborhood,” said David Smith, president of the Madison South Neighborhood Association. “Our residents are excited to visit the university’s on-campus clinic, and we are looking forward to exploring partnerships between UWS and local businesses and schools to help strengthen our community.”
The campus relocation allows for sustainability and stability during an era of significant institutional growth and development.
“This move presents University of Western States with a unique opportunity to engage as a vital member of the neighborhood, and to further enhance our clinic settings as we serve the community,” said Dr. Brimhall. “We are excited to remain in Northeast Portland and look forward to our next 115 years.”
View a video about the move here. Additional details about the relocation can be found at www.uws.edu/facilities-planning.
About University of Western States
University of Western States designs and delivers evidence-informed curricula that embrace the science and art of health care, establishing a solid foundation and competitive edge in preparing professionals for clinical practice. UWS is a regionally accredited, independent nonprofit institution dedicated to improving the health and well-being of society through its educational programs, research and clinical services. Founded in 1904, the institution is world-renowned for excellence in health professions education. University of Western States students pursue an array of academic degree programs: doctor of chiropractic; master of science in human nutrition and functional medicine; master of science in sports medicine; master of science and doctor of education in sport and performance psychology; and master of science and doctor of education in clinical mental health counseling. The institution sponsors approved continuing-education programs for licensed health care professionals, and provides health care services through University of Western States Health Centers. UWS is a founding member of the Oregon Collaborative for Integrative Medicine, an organization that aims to advance integrative health care through education, research, patient care and advocacy. To learn more about University of Western States and its academic programs, visit uws.edu.