EUGENE, Ore. – On Tuesday, October 21, Bushnell University took ownership of two significant properties formerly owned by PeaceHealth at their former University District location.
The two properties acquired include:
770 E. 11th Ave.: This building, formerly referred to as the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU), includes 88,000 square feet of medical office space. Bushnell is moving forward with plans to expand into the third and fourth floors over the coming months. However, the University will allow PeaceHealth to lease back the first and second floors to continue operations of existing services until the new Timber Springs facility is completed at PeaceHealth’s RiverBend location.
722 E. 11th Ave.: This building, formerly referred to as the Center for Medical Education and Research (CMER), offers 37,000 square feet of space, providing Bushnell with the room needed to expand its nursing and lab sciences programs in response to current student demand. The second floor was previously home to Bushnell’s School of Nursing, but the additional space will allow expansion into the first and third floors, further enhancing the existing clinical and classroom learning opportunities.
The addition of 125,000 square feet adjacent to Bushnell University’s campus marks a significant step forward in expanding the College of Health Professions. “This timely acquisition aligns with our vision to meet the ever-growing demand of healthcare and behavioral health educational programs in our region, which we will develop in close partnership with industry and community partners,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Reed Mueller.
Bushnell’s leadership team is already developing a strategic campus and space usage plan to meet the needs of all Bushnell students, both in and out of the classroom. President Dr. Joseph D. Womack, now in his 16th year, said, “This expansion represents the greatest single acquisition in the University’s 130-year history. We celebrate the legacy of PeaceHealth while carrying forward the mission of healing and service in this historic space.”
This addition to Bushnell’s campus follows a successful $22M capital campaign that added new properties, athletic facilities, and academic and cocurricular programs to the University. Since Dr. Womack’s presidency began in 2010, Bushnell’s campus capacity has increased by 151%.