PNWU Ranks Among Nation’s Best in Delivering on Mission
At Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU), our mission has always been clear: prepare health care professionals who go where they’re needed most. And in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings, that mission is once again being recognized on a national scale.
This year, PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) earned top rankings in three mission-critical categories:
- 3rd in the nation for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
- 4th in the nation for Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care
- 10th in the nation for Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
At a time when health care workforce shortages and disparities in access continue to grow, these rankings reflect our continued commitment to answering the call — and the impact of that commitment across the communities we serve.
“To be rising in the rankings without compromising our mission is not just a milestone — it’s a promise kept.”
“This recognition affirms that our mission isn’t just words on paper — it’s measurable, it’s visible, and it’s working,” said Dr. Robbyn Wacker, Interim President of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. “Every step forward is taken with the same purpose that launched this university: to serve,” she said. “To be rising in the rankings without compromising our mission is not just a milestone — it’s a promise kept.”
According to U.S. News data:
- 44.3% of PNWU-COM graduates are practicing in primary care fields
- 21.4% are practicing in rural areas
- 65.1% are serving in Medically Underserved Areas
“This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve received high national rankings in these three mission-centric areas,” said Dr. Thomas Scandalis, Dean of PNWU-COM. “It reflects a continuing commitment and excellence in placing our graduates in communities that have the greatest healthcare needs.”
Additionally, this year, PNWU’s School of Occupational Therapy was ranked among the top 25% of OT programs in the nation, marking another milestone in our growth as a comprehensive health sciences university.
“These rankings mean something real: that underserved communities are finally starting to receive the health care they urgently need.”
“These rankings mean something real: that underserved communities are finally starting to receive the health care they urgently need,” said Dr. Wayne Miller, PNWU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “They are direct reflection of our deep and unwavering commitment to our mission, which is threaded through everything we do at PNWU. We are fulfilling our mission with excellence, and we’re a young university making an impact far beyond our years.”
Founded in 2005 in Yakima, Washington, PNWU was created to train health care professionals for service in rural and underserved areas across the Northwest. Since graduating our first class of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012, we’ve sent more than 1,500 DOs into the world — and we’re just getting started.
“Our students and alumni embody the promise of health equity and access,” said Dr. Heather Fritz, Founding Dean of PNWU’s School of OT. “They bring our values into the communities they serve, delivering care with compassion, skill, and purpose. This is a milestone for our institution and our communities — because when we rise, so do the people we serve.”
“Our students and alumni are the heartbeat of our mission,” added Dr. Wacker. “They serve not for prestige, but for purpose — often returning to rural communities, tribal health centers, and underserved areas where they are making real differences in people’s lives. That’s the promise of health equity in action.”