Olympic College to relocate, expand health care programs to help close gap in services

Olympic College aims to improve health equity and access in Kitsap via changes to the college’s health care education programs approved Tuesday.

The college’s proposal, unanimously approved by the board of trustees, plans to move all Nursing and Allied Health Division programs to Olympic College's Poulsbo campus, with plans for new health science programs and increased enrollment capacity.

Just over a month ago, Kitsap Public Health District notified the county of its decision to select the John Hopkins Center for Health Security to assess the local health care system. Along with the notice, Kitsap Public Health District acknowledged the struggling state of Kitsap’s health care services.

“Inadequate access to health care is a growing issue in Kitsap, with many residents reporting barriers to receiving the services they need to stay healthy,” the notice said, stating barriers to these services often stem from provider shortages.

Olympic College's proposed plans for Poulsbo may be at the heart of the solution.

Shawn Devine, executive director of communications, web and marketing at Olympic College, said the school aims to begin five new health care programs, including Phlebotomy, Ultrasound and Radiology Technology, in Poulsbo in the fall of 2024. An additional five new programs, including Dental Hygiene and Assisting, Respiratory Therapy and Paramedic, are expected to be introduced in one of the two academic years following.

Current programs and equipment at the Bremerton campus would also move to Poulsbo during this time, between 2025 and 2027.

Devine said the college does not anticipate any pause in instruction during the move.

“Given the health care climate and the importance of these programs … we would absolutely keep those programs running without any gap in instruction or service” he said.

The new hub for health care, referred to as Olympic College’s Health Sciences Campus-Poulsbo, intends to offer around 100,000 square feet of facilities between the existing building and an additional proposed building equipped with classrooms, learning spaces and a primary care clinic. These facilities expect to accommodate an anticipated 69% enrollment increase in existing programs and an additional 320 students in the new programs, according to a news release from the college.

“We know that there's a great need for health care workers here in Kitsap County and across the country,” Devine said. “So, there's an opportunity for us to help meet that need by expanding the programs that we offer.”

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Olympic College to move health care courses to Poulsbo