Healthcare Hub | Health Professions Campus
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Ann Barr, executive dean and vice provost for the College of Health Professions, is busy helping programs settle into the new HPC2 building, planning for expanded programs in the schools of Professional Psychology and Occupational Therapy and a new audiology program. The third building, which will bring the College of Optometry to the Hillsboro campus, “will really complete our interprofessional hub for healthcare education.”
HPC2 joined Creighton Hall just across the light rail tracks in 2010 as the second building on the Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro. A new anatomy lab, mailroom, the dean’s office and spaces for the Schools of Professional Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy are also part of the 59,800-square-foot structure. “Our interprofessional approach is really maturing because of the new campus,” said Ann Barr.
Pacific’s modified block curriculum, extensive clinical and patient care experience and study across disciplines characterize the University’s healthcare education. Pharmacy student, Ashley Kanda (back right), values the approach, “The program emphasizes teamwork and that’s what you hope to see in the health professions field.”
Katya Hall, coordinator of the medical Spanish program for the College of Health Professions, teaches Spanish to about 100 students and faculty each year. Required for Dental Hygiene students, and strongly encouraged for other programs, Hall focuses on functional healthcare vocabulary and grammar. “When I see students doing well with Spanish-speaking patients it’s very rewarding,” said Hall. “I really enjoy doing this because of the opportunity I have to bring health professions and Spanish together.”
"We're really training our students in what is considered contemporary, patient-centered, team-based care...and they are having the opportunity to learn that from day one, which is innovative and cutting edge."
– Ann Barr, executive dean and vice provost
College of Health Professions
The newest building at the Health Professions Campus, HPC2, is now home to the schools of Professional Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy. “The flexibility of classrooms and available technology will allow our faculty to work with students in the most effective manner. In the long run, we can expect to see research teams prospering more than ever in this environment,” said Jay Thomas, assistant dean of Professional Psychology.
Dental Health Science students Aimee Elrod (center below) and Nicole Kelley (back left) work with volunteer dentist Dr. Larry Tidwell and dental assistant Jessica Guthrie at Give Kids a Smile Day, an annual free clinic for children from low-income families. “To be a part of a school that believes so highly in aiding our community is something I find very gratifying. I think it’s vital to extend a helping hand to those around us in hopes of bettering our community,” said Elrod.
Jenny Smythe O.D. ’93, dean of the College of Optometry, stands near the spot planned for a third building at the Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro (HPC3). The move from the Forest Grove campus to HPC3 will provide new facilities for optometry instruction and research. “We’re looking forward to a state of the art, warm, functional facility where students can congregate, study and learn to be an integral part of a healthcare team. Students from all of our health professional programs will have a greater understanding of each other’s role in the overall health and welfare of their patients.”■
This story first appeared in the Spring 2011 issue of Pacific Magazine. For more stories, visit pacificu.edu/magazine.
