Western University of Health Sciences

POMONA, Calif. and LEBANON, Ore., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In its latest rankings of top U.S. medical schools, U.S. News & World Report has named Western University of Health Sciences' College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and COMP-Northwest as a Tier 1 institution for primary care training. Continue Reading WesternU COMP and COMP-Northwest was named a Tier 1 institution for primary care training by U.S. News and World Report. WesternU is one of only 15 institutions in the top tier for primary care and one of only two osteopathic medical schools. The 2024-25 rankings feature a new methodology, with medical schools being placed into one of four tiers. Tier 1 institutions were in the 85th percentile or higher of medical schools ranked. See the 2024 Best Medical Schools: Primary Care rankings. "This prestigious ranking is a testament to the exceptional education and training provided at COMP and COMP-Northwest," said WesternU Provost Paula M. Crone, DO '92. "Our commitment to producing highly skilled, compassionate primary care physicians is reflected in our graduates' impressive placement rates and dedication to serving their communities. This recognition underscores the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students in advancing primary care and promoting the osteopathic approach to health care." WesternU COMP & COMP-Northwest are ranked No. 7 for Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care. U.S. News ranked medical schools by the percentage of each school's 2015-17 medical and osteopathic graduates practicing direct patient care in primary care fields. "This recognition from U.S. News & World Report is a significant achievement for Western University of Health Sciences' College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and COMP-Northwest highlights the University's dedication to excellence in medical education and its commitment to preparing the next generation of primary care physicians," said COMP and COMP-Northwest Dean Lisa Warren, DO '01, MBA. "WesternU's emphasis on humanism in medicine sets it apart from many other institutions. Our college's focus on compassionate care, patient-centered practice, and the osteopathic principles and practice foundation aligns with preparing our future health care providers to change health care and significantly impact their communities and patients." Additionally, COMP and COMP-Northwest ranked in these categories: Most Diverse Medical Schools (#142-tie) Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (#133) Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas (#75-tie) Tier 4 in Best Medical Schools: Research About Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences (), located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered. SOURCE Western University of Health Sciences

POMONA, Calif., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy (COP) received a significant donation from 986 Pharmacy CEO and Co-founder Ken Thai, PharmD, APh, to name the current P1 pharmacy classroom the "986 Pharmacy Classroom." Continue Reading WesternU held a dedication ceremony on April 4, 2024 to honor Dr. Ken Thai and his family for this generous gift. Dr. Thai's generosity to WesternU dates back more than a decade and includes student awards through his foundation as well as recent large endowments to support community pharmacy practice initiatives. COP Dean Sunil Prabhu, BPharm, PhD, offered a toast to Dr. Thai and his family. WesternU named its P1 classroom the 986 Pharmacy Classroom in honor of 986 Pharmacy CEO and Co-founder Dr. Ken Thai. Post this "Ken, in your relatively young career, you've made such tremendous success and we as a College are privileged that you have chosen us as a partner in your journey," Prabhu said. "We are very grateful to you for your generosity and for your commitment to WesternU and our students, especially to the unwavering support that you have given them. We hope that we will be partners with you going forward, for many years." Prabhu also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Lilia Xu, PharmD, Vice President of Strategic Development of 986 Pharmacy and a member of the COP Dean's Advisory Council, and COP alumnus Dr. Kevin Mancilla, PharmD '22, who is also with 986 Pharmacy. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception included several of Thai's family and 986 Pharmacy colleagues, COP students, staff and faculty, and WesternU dignitaries. WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, told Thai the University is grateful to him. "His pharmacy franchise serves as a platform for pharmacists to become independent pharmacy owners," Farias-Eisner said. "That is an amazing service to society because that's what it is all about - giving back and paying it forward, both directions, in order to help his colleagues. I am very impressed by that level of altruism and generosity." WesternU Board of Trustee member Tony Chan, PharmD, is also a pharmacist and entrepreneur. He has known Thai for more than 20 years, and described him as hardworking, dedicated and diligent. "Philanthropic effort can really have a transformative impact on the lives of other people, support many worthy causes, and foster positive societal change," Chan said. "This is what I really believe in. We should all get together and create this ripple effect that will make positive changes to all the younger generations. I want to thank Ken Thai, his wife, and his beautiful children for their generosity to support this program to make this school a successful one." WesternU Provost Paula Crone, DO '92, said Thai is a visionary leader whose unwavering support of the College of Pharmacy and WesternU has already made a big difference. "The naming of this classroom serves as a testament to Dr. Thai's enduring legacy toward the significant role he has played in shaping the future of pharmacy education. It also symbolizes the strong partnership between academia and industry and what it can do, and that's exemplified by the company he cofounded, 986," Crone said. "May this dedication ceremony inspire future generations of pharmacists and remind all of us of the profound impact that dedication, tenacity, generosity and collaboration can have on advancing education and health care." Thai, in his remarks, said that Chan and others like him who have donated generously motivated him to do the same. "I don't think anything I'm doing is great or new. I do feel that I'm paying forward those who paid forward before me," Thai said. "I feel like we're in turbulent times. A lot of folks, students especially, do not feel the same about independent community practice as they once did. The pride that we once showcased may not be as strong as it once was. And I really felt as a member of that community that we need to stand up for that. We need to do something to really show them that we're alive and we're thriving. You can still make it work. We can still do something special to allow the future generations of pharmacists to feel what we felt, to enjoy some of what we enjoyed, and to be where we are today." Thai said he felt humbled and a little embarrassed by this outpouring of admiration. "I feel I am up here representing my team. It's really the 986 independent pharmacists I'm standing before all of you representing," he said. This donation resulted from a desire to showcase and represent independent pharmacists and community pharmacists. Thai said he tells his team members - 986 Pharmacy is now 500 strong – that he has accomplished everything he ever dreamed, and they are an integral part of this process. Several of the 986 team are from WesternU, so the reason he supports the University is simple. "You put me in a position where I had no choice because you brought talent, you brought the future in my hands," Thai said. "You allowed them to be where they are today because they are living out the American dream because of what you've done as a school, as an institution, as a faculty. And as a beneficiary of that, from the standpoint of a practitioner and health care provider, I had to give back. You made me have no choice but to say thank you. What can I do to provide some type of giveback to the community and to the students that have impacted my life and provided what I have today? So I really need to thank you, all of you." About Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences (), located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered. SOURCE Western University of Health Sciences

Under the partnership, Carestream is providing an imaging system and software to Robarts to advance the latter’s multidisciplinary translational research Carestream will provide its DRX-Evolution-Plus digital radiography system to Robarts. (Credit: Business Wire) Carestream Health has announced a partnership with Robarts Research Institute to study the clinical value of digital X-ray, digital tomosynthesis, and dual energy technologies to improve the outcomes of patients with cardiothoracic and pulmonary diseases. Established in 1986, Robarts is a research institute of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University in Ontario, Canada. Under the partnership, Carestream is providing an imaging system and software to the Canadian institute for advancing the latter’s multidisciplinary translational research. The US-based medical imaging systems firm will install its DRX-Evolution-Plus digital radiography system with Dual Energy (DE) acquisition and Digital Tomosynthesis (DT) image acquisition software at Robarts. According to Carestream, DT offers a more precise depth localisation than traditional radiography while enhancing the contrast visualisation of local structures. DE enables higher detection sensitivity for lung abnormalities and improved assessment at the entrance exposure of a routine chest X-ray, said the company. Carestream advanced research and innovation head Luca Bogoni said: “Collaborations such as this offer Carestream the opportunity to assess the value of our technologies that, as in the case of tomosynthesis, afford physicians the ability to gain better clinical insight and translate this understanding into impactful patient management decisions.” Carestream said that the collaboration with the Canadian institute represents one of many partnerships it has with research and healthcare facilities around the world. The aim of the partnerships is to develop and evaluate new solutions that can help enhance patient care, management, and results while streamlining workflows and maximising clinical utility, said the US-based firm. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry medical imaging department chair/chief Narinder Paul said: “What we’re doing here is fairly unique in Canada. “The projects we will undertake here are multidisciplinary. Imaging scientists can bring their ideas to a project, physicians can address their clinical needs and bring their experience of the current gaps in healthcare provision and industry partners can collaborate to move their technologies forward.”