The PNWU Health Blog offers insight and first-hand accounts of life here at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
It includes contributions from current and former PNWU medical students, physicians and various members of an ever-expanding community aimed at highlighting care for the rural and underserved. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or ideas, or if you’d like to pitch a blog idea of your own, please contact us at publicity@pnwu.edu.
Student Doctors Otmar Bouchard and Emily Huynh (PNWU-COM Class of '27) join the PNWU Health Blog to offer readers an exclusive look at an invaluable networking opportunity with some of dermatology's leading minds.
"The dinner, which was coordinated by [PNWU Chief of Dermatology] Dr. Michael Scott, offered us an incredible opportunity to connect with leaders from the field of dermatology over sweeping views of Seattle’s Elliott Bay," write the co-authors.
PNWU Student Doctors Angie Yossef and Ryan Voelker recently attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The pair joined us to share their advocacy-fueled Aloha State adventures.
Read MorePNWU Student Doctors Ana Caudillo, Karla Saenz Reyes and Ryan Voelker recently returned from the one-week Kidney TREKS (Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars) Program. Sponsored by the American Society of Nephrology and hosted at the University of Chicago, the week-long program is designed to foster interest in careers in nephrology and research through a week-long research course retreat and long-term mentorship program.
For the fourth year in a row, PNWU had the highest number of Kidney TREKS applicants in North America, with three PNWU Student Doctors selected to attend. Student Doctor Voelker recently joined us to discuss his Windy City experience, and the benefits such courses offer to the education of our student doctors.
Read MoreEntering into her first year of medical school, PNWU Student Doctor Israa Alshaikhli had a grand vision in her mind of the wondrous experience ahead. Then, life offered her a different plan.
In her first blog appearance, Student Doctor Alshaikhli shares her perspective on adversity, faith, and a campus community that’s become a family.
Read MoreAs student doctors across the country prepare for their first clinical rotation experiences, PNWU Osteopathic Medicine Scholar Katie Ackerman offers five tips to maximize the potential of third year.
“Once third year starts, our focus switches to real people; patients with real concerns,” explains Student Doctor Ackerman. “Suddenly, you have an opportunity to make a real difference.”
Read MoreOn Saturday, May 21, 2022, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) hosted the Eleventh Annual PNWU Commencement Ceremony, live from Yakima’s historic Capitol Theatre. The celebrations honored PNWU’s eleventh class of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), and it’s first class of Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) graduates.
Read MoreOn Thursday, April 14, Dr. Beth Pyatak will deliver the keynote address at PNWU’s 2022 Research Symposium.
As the director of USC’s Lifestyle Redesign for Chronic Conditions (LRCC) Laboratory, Dr. Pyatak leads a lab exploring the impact of chronic conditions — such as diabetes and arthritis — on health and well-being, particularly among populations which are medically underserved or at elevated risk for poor health and quality of life.
In anticipation of her keynote address, we connected with Dr. Pyatak to learn more about the role of research in chronic condition management, her perspectives on conducting research, and more.
Read MoreAs PNWU’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) worked to celebrate and promote Black History Month, Administrative Coordinator Isabella Braganza began sharing stories of the invaluable contributions made by African Americans across medicine and society. Her content captured eyes on displays and flyers around campus, and soon, she was pitched an idea: What about spotlighting someone from the local community?
After a few conversations and phone calls, Braganza was introduced to Ms. Ester Huey, a revered Yakima community leader and activist. Ms. Huey’s has dedicated her life to improving those of marginalized youth and families in Yakima County, and in doing so, has impacted the journeys of an unfathomable number of individuals.
She recently sat down down with Braganza to discuss her life’s work, including her commitment to some of Eastern Washington’s most vulnerable populations, the importance of the medical community recognizing and celebrating black history, and the work that must be done to provide equal access to equal health care for all.
Read MoreSince joining PNWU’s School of Physical Therapy, Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Blizniak has harnessed his passions and blue collar roots to care for some of Yakima’s most vulnerable community members.
“The Yakima Valley has a tremendous need for more physical therapists to help the large agricultural workforce,” he explained. “At PNWU, I immediately had the opportunity to pursue my dream of teaching others the skills I once learned to help give back to the community that gives us so much.”
Read MoreJami Flick, faculty member of PNWU’s developing School of Occupational Therapy, works to combat human trafficking.
“The issue of human trafficking should be a concern of all healthcare providers and community members,” explains Flick, in her first PNWU Health Blog appearance. “I understand the issues that survivors face all too well.”
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