Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) was pleased to host community leaders, supporters, and friends for an evening of conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. The dinner provided an opportunity for WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, FACOG, to share updates on the exciting work taking place in Lebanon.
“WesternU has been incredibly fortunate to call Lebanon home. The growth and success of our Oregon campus would not be possible without the support, the partnership, and the friendship of this community. As our University grows, so does our desire to serve the community,” said President Farias-Eisner. “We want to ensure that our growth creates meaningful opportunity, not only for our students, faculty, and staff, but for Lebanon, for Linn County, and for communities throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Most importantly, we wish to be a significant part of an impactful solution to the health professionals shortage crisis in these counties.”
During his remarks, President Farias-Eisner shared that progress is underway on the railroad underpass that will serve as the main entrance to the new WesternU Oregon campus. The new campus will be constructed on more than 100 acres of land that was gifted to the University in August 2025.
“Tonight, I am pleased to share that the Union Pacific Railroad has approved our concept proposal and will formally sign off soon. That is a significant milestone, and it is the step that makes every other step possible. Once the railroad project is complete, we will have the access we need to begin construction of the new campus,” said President Farias-Eisner.
The evening also offered an opportunity to hear directly from leaders of each college, who shared updates on the work underway across the University and the ways their programs are preparing the next generation of health care professionals to meet the needs of Oregon and beyond.
The first update came from College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine (WesternU HCOM) Dean Lisa Warren, DO ’01, MBA, who highlighted the college’s growth and presence in the community. WesternU HCOM is home to over 400 students who actively participate in the Lebanon community and greater osteopathic medical community through volunteer work, advocacy, research, and more.
“We’re so proud and thankful to you for nurturing and supporting our students in the community. It is one of the most unique things, having this community fully involved around them, providing that support, in a very rigorous medical education with its moments of stress and uncertainty. Knowing that there’s a community behind them is what gets them through,” said Dean Warren.
College of Health Sciences-Northwest (CHS-Northwest) Site Dean Jonathan Perry, MSc, PhD, shared an update on the physical therapy program’s continued growth in Oregon. Students at CHS-Northwest are active in research and with Practical Application Labs (PALs), a series of classes where students gain valuable hands-on experience with community volunteers. Additionally, CHS-Northwest is in the process of exploring additional programs, a Master of Athletic Training program and a Master of Science in Movement and Rehabilitation Research program, to further their mission of supporting the health and well-being of communities through humanistic care.
“We want to be able to serve the needs of the community and the area, so we really value input from you, our stakeholders,” said Site Dean Perry. We’re always looking for new opportunities to work together to be able to serve the community best.”
WesternU Oregon’s newest college, the College of Graduate Nursing-Northwest, announced in February 2026, also provided and updated on the development of its new program in Oregon. CGN and CGN-Northwest Dean Mary Lopez, PhD, RN, and CGN-Northwest Site Dean Michael Marinello, DNP, MSN, RN, each provided remarks. The college is actively recruiting students and faculty, with plans to seat the inaugural class in fall 2027.
In response to the evolving needs of the community, WesternU is expanding its focus on behavioral health. Through CGN-Northwest, the University will educate and train registered nurses with specialized expertise in behavioral health. In addition, the college is exploring the development of a community health worker program and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program to further strengthen the behavioral health workforce and expand access to care.
“We went out into the community and asked, ‘Where are your gaps? What kind of nurses would you like?’ We heard them, we got their input, and that’s what we’re taking into this program,” said Dean Lopez.
The evening underscored WesternU’s commitment to working alongside community partners to address the area’s health care needs. As plans for the Oregon campus move forward, the University will continue to build on its partnerships in Lebanon and throughout the region to support the health and well-being of the communities it serves.