Portland State University announced on Mar. 18 a new partnership with Western University of Health Sciences to create the WesternU–PSU Pathway Program, aimed at supporting pre-health students seeking advanced degrees in physical therapy or osteopathic medicine.
The initiative is intended to help more students from Portland State University access doctoral-level education in health professions, addressing workforce needs in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The program offers selected PSU students a guaranteed interview for admission to either the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the College of Health Sciences-Northwest or the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, which is transitioning to its new name, Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine. Additionally, CHS-Northwest will waive application fees for pathway participants.
Ari Douangpanya, Director of PSU Health, Science, and the Earth Pathway, said: “Portland State University is excited to partner with Western University of Health Sciences to create a direct pathway for PSU students into WesternU’s Osteopathic Medicine and Physical Therapy programs. This partnership is built upon a shared commitment to community well-being.” Douangpanya added that “WesternU’s foundational emphasis on serving underserved communities and its dedication to fostering meaningful community partnerships closely aligns with PSU’s motto of, ‘Let Knowledge Serve the City.’”
Douangpanya also said: “The partnership provides a transformative opportunity for promising PSU undergraduates. By successfully meeting academic and prerequisite criteria throughout their undergraduate journey, students can earn a guaranteed interview with WesternU. This guaranteed interview component is a powerful element in setting clear, attainable goals for students. It transforms what can often feel like an overwhelming application process into a supportive and clearly defined trajectory toward their professional aspirations. This ensures that commitment to service begins with the education itself, offering a direct route to success for students who embody the values of both institutions.”
Clint Edwards, Director of Operations at CHS-Northwest, said that the program aims to address Oregon’s significant need for physical therapists. “Ultimately, this pathway represents an important first step in meeting Oregon’s workforce needs while offering students a local, sustainable, and high‑quality educational and career opportunity,” Edwards said.
COMP-Northwest Site Dean Heather Phipps commented on how this agreement supports future healthcare professionals: “The pathway agreement between WesternU and Portland State University demonstrates a shared commitment to the future of health care in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest,” Phipps said. “Designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, the pathway emphasizes preparing future physicians to serve Oregon’s communities.”
WesternU officials say that by collaborating intentionally with undergraduate institutions across Oregon—including urban Portland and rural Lebanon—the university aims to strengthen statewide access to graduate health professions training.