Our University

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) is a grassroots, non-profit health sciences university established in 2005 by a group of visionary community leaders in Washington’s fertile Yakima Valley.

Our Mission

PNWU educates and trains health care professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest.

Our Vision

Revolutionizing community health.

Our History

Learn about our history.

Our University

Based in Yakima, Washington, PNWU’s 70-acre campus boasts a collaboration-inspiring array of health sciences disciplines, all united under the pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

Featuring five active health sciences programs (PNWU-COM, PNWU-SOPT, PNWU-SOT, MAMS and WSU Nursing), PNWU’s campus is abuzz with a diverse collection of healthcare professional students.

PNWU students enjoy access to a comprehensive anatomy lab, experienced and engaging faculty, an ever-growing toolbox of telehealth advancements, state-of-the-art medical simulation labs, abundant in-person interactions with simulated patients (SPs), inspiring community service opportunities, expanding community partnerships and training opportunities, and so much more.

Our campus is set in the heart of Yakima, WA’s Terrace Heights neighborhood. Featuring 300 days of sunshine, an agricultural bounty that brings farm-to-table (and to glass), a low cost of living, strong sense of community, and easy access to Seattle, Portland and Spokane, the Yakima Valley is truly a destination to live, work, explore and grow.

College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Est. 2008
• Accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)
• Four-year program
  • Offers Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree
• PNWU-COM Mission:
  • Educate and train students to become osteopathic physicians that provide research-driven quality care to communities of the Northwest, particularly in rural and medically underserved populations.
• Nationally ranked for mission fulfillment
  • 2nd: Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Specialties
  • 3rd: Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
  • 6th: Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas

Master of Arts in Medical Sciences

• Est. 2021 (previously hosted in collaboration with Heritage University)
• Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Offers Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) degree
• PNWU-MAMS Mission:
  • Educate and train health care professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest.

School of Physical Therapy

• Est. 2022
• Granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Offers Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree
• PNWU-SOPT Mission:
  • Educate future physical therapists as movement system experts who will infuse innovative, evidence-informed practice in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest.

School of Occupational Therapy

• Est. 2023
• Granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Offers Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree
• PNWU-SOT Mission
  • The PNWU School of Occupational Therapy is committed to delivering graduate programs of distinction and preparing occupational therapists as leaders, scholars, and change agents who deliver occupation-based services that promote the health and wellbeing of rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest and beyond.

School of Dental Medicine (developing)

• Now developing
  • Proposed start: Summer 2025
• Will support PNWU’s mission by providing a comprehensive and unique dental education program focused on graduating primary care dentists.
• Features strong partnerships with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, the SeaMar Community Health Centers, Delta Dental of Washington, the Washington State Dental Association, and more.

PNWU has built a Recruit-Educate-Return model to help address a significant shortage of health care professionals in the Northwest.

By recruiting mission-committed individuals from our five-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington, PNWU aims to bring high quality health care to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most rural and medically underserved communities.