Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) and the Portland Area Indian Health Service (IHS) have formally entered into a new Collaborative Education Agreement, creating expanded clinical training opportunities for dental medicine students while strengthening the regional oral health workforce.
The agreement, Collaborative Agreement No. PAO-2025-0005, was signed during a ceremony at PNWU’s Delta Dental Equity Hall and will enable students from PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine to gain supervised, hands-on experience at the Yakama Service Unit of the Portland Area IHS in Toppenish.
The collaboration underscores a shared mission to improve access to oral healthcare in underserved and rural communities, particularly those served by the IHS.
“This partnership represents an extremely meaningful step in our shared commitment to improving access to care in rural and underserved communities,” said PNWU President Dr. Michael Mittelman.
“By working together, we can help ensure that future healthcare professionals from PNWU gain the skills,
cultural awareness, and experience necessary to serve populations that need us the most.”
“This partnership reflects our commitment to improving access to oral healthcare in underserved regions while preparing students for meaningful, community-focused careers,” added Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, Dean of the PNWU School of Dental Medicine.
“Partnerships like this reflect the very heart of PNWU’s mission: to educate and inspire compassionate, community-minded clinicians who are prepared to lead where they are needed most,” said Dr. Mittelman. “IHS and PNWU share a vision of healthier, stronger communities. This agreement brings that vision one step closer to reality.”
The event featured remarks from PNWU and IHS leadership, followed by the official signing, a networking reception, and a tour of PNWU’s dental education facilities.
The Collaborative Education Agreement will help ensure that future dental medicine students gain valuable experience serving patients in settings where access to care remains limited—supporting both education and community health outcomes.