American Fundraising Professionals’ Oregon Southwest Washington chapter recognizes WesternU supporter and philanthropist Jeff Heatherington
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter recently honored Jeff Heatherington, LHD (Hon.), for his considerable philanthropic support to Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) and other regional nonprofit organizations. Heatherington received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award, which honors individuals whose generosity, support, and vision have significantly strengthened the nonprofit sector with major gifts and sustained philanthropic leadership.
As President of FamilyCare Inc. and the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Healthcare, Heatherington has helped drive forward the vision for a more effective health care landscape. His leadership and generosity have elevated institutions, empowered students and professionals, and expanded access to high-quality care for communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Heatherington’s influence is felt statewide, but it has been particularly significant for the development of WesternU. Through the combined efforts of FamilyCare, Inc. and the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in HealthCare, Heatherington has been instrumental in contributing more than $50 million to the University to support student scholarships, simulated education, and program development. Additionally, the Heatherington Foundation has donated 150 acres of riverfront property in Lebanon, Oregon. This gift lays the groundwork for a new WesternU campus that will train future generations of osteopathic physicians and health care professionals and establish a graduate program in behavioral health.
In July, WesternU announced that the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest) would be renamed the Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine in honor of his lifetime commitment to expanding access to care, advancing medical education, and strengthening the health of communities throughout Oregon and beyond.
“The new name honors Jeff Heatherington, a visionary whose life’s work has advanced osteopathic medicine, primary care, and health care access across Oregon,” said WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, FACOG, during the AFP awards luncheon, held Nov. 17, 2025. “His contributions extend far beyond financial giving. As a co-founder of COMP-Northwest, longtime advocate for DOs, and president of FamilyCare Health, Dr. Heatherington has played a pivotal role in shaping both the University’s presence in Oregon and the health care landscape of the state.
“His leadership has empowered a generation of students and a region in need of compassionate, community-embedded providers. This naming is more than symbolic. It reflects a legacy built on advocacy, innovation, and service. It is a strategic step forward for the University’s visibility, credibility, and philanthropic potential, and a reaffirmation of WesternU’s mission to educate tomorrow’s health care leaders through humanistic, whole-person care.”
