New partnership with WesternU creates pathway to medical degree

Portland State University has partnered Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) to launch the WesternU-PSU Pathway Program. This collaborative initiative supports PSU pre-health students seeking to pursue either a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the College of Health Sciences-Northwest (CHS-Northwest) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest), which is currently transitioning to its new name, the Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The program is designed to cultivate driven, high-performing students who demonstrate strong potential for success in graduate health professions education. Through enhanced academic preparation and expanded learning opportunities, the partnership aims to strengthen student success and increase access to doctoral-level education throughout the Pacific Northwest. Students from PSU who are selected for the pathway program will receive a guaranteed interview at COMP-Northwest or CHS-Northwest, with CHS-Northwest additionally providing an application fee waiver.

"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," said PSU Health, Science, and the Earth Pathway Director Ari Douangpanya. "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.'"

"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," Douangpanya added. "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."

The program is designed to help address Oregon's significant need for physical therapists, said CHS-Northwest Director of Operations Clint Edwards.

"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.

The program will also create a clear pathway for students dreaming of becoming an osteopathic physician.

"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," said COMP-Northwest Site Dean Heather Phipps. "Designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, the pathway emphasizes preparing future physicians to serve Oregon's communities."

Through intentional collaboration with undergraduate institutions across Oregon, WesternU is strengthening a statewide educational ecosystem, connecting students in urban Portland, rural Lebanon, and beyond with graduate health professions training, and helping ensure Oregon communities have access to compassionate, patient-centered and locally educated clinicians for years to come.