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For Immediate Release
December 30, 2009
Statement from the Board of Trustees of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
We were saddened and disappointed to learn former employees Drs. Stan Flemming and Tim Morris have filed suit against the University. The University has filed two responsive lawsuits for the purposes of defining and establishing the parties’ legal rights. What we thought would be a personnel issue handled with grace and dignity, has unfortunately taken a severe shift in its course.
At this point the University will not comment publicly upon the specific issues raised in the cases. The choice to limit public comment is due in part to privacy concerns, but is also consistent with our unwavering commitment to protect and preserve the integrity and reputation of this outstanding institution, its students, administrators, volunteers and the community who transformed a vision into reality.
The Board of Trustees is also committed to a new and higher standard of transparency in all the University’s operations. Given the sensitive legal nature of this issue, however, we have determined the most prudent course is to exclusively discuss the facts and circumstances of these cases in the appropriate legal forum. The University unequivocally stands behind its actions and is confident that the legal process will validate the judgment of its recent actions.
The leadership change has been welcomed, and in light of the litigation, has not detracted from PNWU’s financial stability or mission to train health care professionals who will serve those living in rural and underserved communities.
Contact:
Brendan Monahan, Counsel
Stokes Law
(509) 853-3000
PNWU receives $400,000 in federal funding
December 22, 2009
Yakima – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is proud to announce it is the recipient of $400,000 in federal funding. The money will be used to expand educational offerings through the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Congressman Doc Hastings facilitated the request through the federal legislative process. The funds will be used for the 2010 school year.
“This funding will allow us to move forward with the expansion of programs at PNWU and is an extraordinary financial boost to the private funds we’ve raised to date,” said Dr. Lloyd Butler, PNWU Acting President. “We are grateful to Representative Hastings for his continued support of the work we are doing to address health care workforce shortages in Washington State.”
The College of Allied Health Sciences opened in 2009 after the university conducted a feasibility study of greatest need for services in the five state region PNWU serves – Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. Over 2000 high demand provider deficiencies were identified in Washington State alone.
The College welcomed its first students into the Central Washington University Master of Science in Biology (Biomedical Science specialization) this past fall. Plans are close to completion to launch a new program in 2010.
Currently, PNWU-College of Osteopathic Medicine has two full classes of 75 students training to become physicians.
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Dr. Stan Flemming Departs as President of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
November 19, 2009
Yakima – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences has announced that Dr. Flemming is leaving the University. “We are grateful for his time and wish him the best,” said PNWU Board Chair Karen Hyatt.
Since arriving in 2007, Dr. Flemming participated with others in securing a large appropriation from the Washington State Legislature. Also during his administration two new colleges were established: the College of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Postgraduate Sciences.
PNWU’s board has appointed Dr. Lloyd Butler as acting President and is in the process of finding a successor. “Our solid team of talented, passionate and experienced faculty, staff and administrators remain intact, focused and committed,” adds Hyatt.
For PNWU it’s a new chapter in its continuing development. “Dr. Flemming has made it part of our culture that our mission is larger than any one of us,” said Dr. Robert Sutton, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
PNWU’s mission is to train, educate and encourage scientific research for health professionals who will provide quality care to all communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, particularly underserved communities.
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Senate leadership visits PNWU
November 13, 2009
Yakima – A powerful legislator who plays a key role in championing health care reform in WA State visited Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences for the first time. Senator Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), chair of the Washington State Senate Health and Long-Term Care committee, met with university leadership on November 13th to learn more about how PNWU is accomplishing its mission of training health professionals to serve in rural and underserved areas.
Her visit included a briefing from President Dr. Stan Flemming, D.O., M.A. Dr. Flemming then hosted the Senator and her legislative colleagues from the 13th, 14th and 15th districts for a tour of Butler-Haney Hall and lunch with students from the class of 2013.
Citing pending health care reform and how that will create a greater need for primary care providers, Senator Keiser praised the work and mission of PNWU.
“I see the plan, I understand the vision and I endorse it. I think it’s a tremendous value added program and institution for our entire state and region,” said Senator Keiser in her address to the students, faculty and staff. “We must make sure new students are given every opportunity to stay in primary care and are not priced into high paying specialties”.
Senator Keiser offered her support for programs that would help students in the form of tuition relief or debt forgiveness.
“Many legislators, including Senator Keiser, first became familiar with PNWU during the 2009 legislative session. Senator Keiser is a committed to addressing the crisis we face in Washington State with a shortage of primary care providers. We wanted her to meet the fine students we’re training who will be the health care providers of tomorrow,” said Dr. Flemming.
Joining Senator Keiser’s tour were legislators from the 13th, 14th and 15th Districts: Representative Judy Warnick, Representative Norm Johnson, Senator Curtis King, Representatives David Taylor and Bruce Chandler and Senator Jim Honeyford.
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