Kitsap County, VMFH commit millions to Olympic College's health care expansion

POULSBO — Olympic College on Tuesday announced a partnership with Kitsap County and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to expand 10 new health care programs at the college's Poulsbo campus.

Using the American Rescue Plan Act funding, Kitsap County committed $6 million to phase one of OC's expansion. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health will contribute $2.5 million to the project, and Olympic College will spend $2 million of its own reserves on the plan, leaders of the three parties announced.

The total $10.5 million of funding for the first phase will be used to retrofit the existing Poulsbo campus building, built in 2004, to better meet the needs of the college's three new programs: Radiology Technician, Surgical Technician and Ultrasound Technician. The estimated cost of modifying the 19-year-old building will be $8.5 million and the remaining $2 million will be used for operational expenses to support the programs' faculty and staff and admissions and advising, according to Olympic College.

The other seven health care programs the college will launch are Practical Nursing Navy Corpsman Bridge Program, Phlebotomy Certification, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician and Respiratory Technician. The college anticipates to enroll over 663 students in their health care programs by 2027, according to the college.

"This expansion represents a major milestone for our college and the entire region," Marty Cavalluzzi, president of Olympic College said in the press conference. "The growing need for health care workers on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula, especially in the wake of COVID-19, has highlighted a critical gap in our community's infrastructure. This expansion responds to that need, providing a pathway for students to begin rewarding careers in health care while earning a sustainable living wage."

Cavalluzzi pointed out that the expansion will enhance the college's educational offerings and provide its students with training and career opportunities. It provides employers with a well-trained workforce and lets the community gain improved access to essential health care services, the president said.

Kitsap County Commissioner Katie Walters said the partnership is a testament to the partners' shared commitment to address the immediate health care needs of the county's residents, as well as to lay a foundation for a healthier and more resilient future.

"The American Rescue Plan Act was designed to provide comprehensive economic relief in response to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," Walters said. "These funds have been instrumental in addressing both Kitsap economic and public health challenges."

Toby Sutton, chief human resources officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, recalled his 21 years of service in the military and the time he worked with Naval and Coast Guard corpsmen. The Navy Corpsman Bridge Program is "massive for those that are getting out of the service and need that next career," he said in the press conference.

President of St. Michael Medical Center Chad Melton expressed his thanks to the community.

"Thank you for allowing us to invest in the future of Kitsap County, our community as a whole, and we're just blessed to be here," Melton said.

Phase 2 of Olympic College's Poulsbo expansion to include new health science building

The second phase of the college's expansion in Poulsbo will include a plan to build an approximately 40,000 square feet Health Science Building on campus to create spaces for classrooms, labs, office spaces and student housing for the new programs. The college will also bring its existing nursing programs, medical assisting programs and physical therapy assistant program, currently at the Bremerton campus, to the new building in Poulsbo, according to the college.

A primary care clinic that serves low-income people will be set up in the Health Science Building to provide preventive care. Ideally, there will also be a dental clinic to serve the community and the colleges' dental hygienist and dental assisting students can rotate through the clinic to get practical experience, Alecia Nye, dean of Olympic College Healthcare Division, said.

"This is an opportunity for people to change their lives," Nye said. "We're gonna be able to have these programs where they (students) can get all of the services they need to be able to actually come out with a high-paying job and be able to support their families and grow within their own community."

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Olympic College to expand 10 new health care programs in Poulsbo