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The university’s commitment to becoming a regional leader in educating future healthcare practitioners took a giant step forward last fall with the opening of a brand new 43,000-square-foot, three-story facility near the Providence Newberg Medical Center on Werth Boulevard in Newberg.

A dedication ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ in September marked the opening of the Medical Sciences Building, home to ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox’s physician assistant (PA) and physical therapy (DPT) programs. Featuring state-of-the-art classrooms and technologies, the facility provides a space where students are equipped to address the glaring regional and national shortage of primary-care health professionals.

Looking ahead, the university will add yet another healthcare offering in 2024, when a masters-level occupational therapy program is scheduled to launch.

Students in the physician assistant program explore the intricacy of human anatomy with an Anatomage Table, used to simulate cadaver dissection. The table is regarded as one of the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tools in the industry.

Anatomic models, such as this one of a human arm, are used to give physician assistant students a realistic replication of human anatomy. This is one of several such models used by the program.

Physician assistant students consistently practice skills utilized in clinical care, such as applying a leg cast as part of the program’s casting and splinting lab.

Curt Stilp, associate dean of the College of Medical Science, oversees the instruction of physical exam techniques. The six-semester, 112-credit PA program awards a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) degree, with the option to also earn a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree.

Physical therapy clinic director Jaydee Romick utilizes the PT program’s three-dimensional motion capture biomechanics lab in the assessment and treatment of a patient. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the physical therapy program’s launch in 2012.