SPOKANE, Wash. A collaboration among Washington State University, Denver-based healthcare real estate developer NexCore Group LP and Spokane-based rheumatology practice Arthritis Northwest, PLLC, will result in the Riverpoint Medical and Health Sciences Institute, bringing positive changes for downtown Spokane.
The Riverpoint Medical and Health Sciences Institute master plan calls for an integrated network of facilities to be developed in three phases that will house a Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence as well as numerous specialties, clinic and laboratory research space, a health and fitness center, and other elements, with a mix of services that will attract patients, providers and researchers from across the region.
A letter of intent was signed in November between WSU and NexCore Group detailing the development of the Pine Street Project at the Riverpoint Campus.
“The Riverpoint project is an excellent addition to Spokane,” said Marty Dickinson of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. “The project will extend the downtown experience into the Riverpoint Campus. With the increased number of physicians and staff as well as an anticipated 8,500 additional patients visiting the new facilities, this development will also contribute to the growth momentum on the east end of downtown.”
The Institute will be located in the heart of the University District on the Riverpoint Campus, home of WSU Spokane and Eastern Washington University Spokane, both of which have rapidly expanding health sciences programs. The schools envision several programs utilizing the new facilities, including occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology, pharmacy, nursing, medicine, and health administration.
“We’re very excited about the plans for this project,” said Brian Pitcher, WSU Spokane chancellor and vice-provost for WSU Health Sciences. “It’s a great fit for Riverpoint as a campus with a focus on the health sciences. Already we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from providers, faculty, and the community about the opportunities it will create for student clinical experiences and faculty-research partnerships in addition to the medical services.”
The first phase will include the Institute, a 60,000-square-foot multi-level healthcare facility to be anchored by Arthritis Northwest’s state of the art Musculokeletal Center of Excellence.
“The facility will offer a seamless continuum of care to patients suffering from joint, bone, muscle, neurologic and related diseases,” said Karen Ferguson, practice administrator for Arthritis Northwest. “This model will also benefit all of the providers in the facility with a large, multidiscipline referral base in a collaborative campus setting. We’re thrilled to be part of bringing the vision to life.”
News release:
WSU and Nexcore Sign Letter of Intent for Pine Street Property
https://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13200 (Nov. 12, 2008)
