University of Washington medical students got a first look Wednesday at their new home on the Gonzaga University campus.
They will study in a new four-story building created for the health partnership the two universities developed six years ago.
The 120 medical students will share space with Gonzaga human physiology majors. Students from other Gonzaga health sciences programs will also take classes there, says John Sklut, the executive director of the health partnership.
“One of the goals of the new facility, the co-location, is to have that mix of students, both undergraduate and graduate students, and really that promotion of interdisciplinary work and having those students engage outside the classroom," he said.
The new facility has a state-of-the-art anatomy lab where students can explore cadavers. There’s also a floor with laboratory space for students and private sector researchers.
“I think it really positions our region extraordinarily well not just to produce the next generation of health sciences professionals that will enhance our regional wellness, but also really does invite growth in our health sciences research sector and the economic development that could come with that, contributing to our economic well being as well," Sklut said.
Students in the UW’s physician assistant program will be based in a building next door.
