WesternU
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Office of the Provost
Office of the Provost
Message from the Provost Welcome to the New Academic Year at WesternU
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
As we officially launch the new academic year at Western University of Health Sciences, I extend my warmest welcome to all—especially to our incoming students and new faculty who are beginning their journey with us, and to our returning students, faculty, and staff who continue the mission of our institution.
This academic year begins with renewed purpose. Across our campuses and programs, we are called to educate, to lead, and to serve in a time of great need and transformation in healthcare. The challenges we face—locally, nationally, and globally—require not only scientific knowledge, but compassion, innovation, and collaboration across every discipline.
At WesternU, we are proud to be a community where students are prepared not just to enter their professions, but to elevate them. Our commitment to humanism in healthcare, academic excellence, interprofessional education, and community impact will continue to guide our work throughout the year.
To our students: Your dreams, your values, and your “why” will be the foundation of the future of healthcare. Whether you are just beginning your academic path or returning with deeper focus, we believe in your potential and we are here to support you every step of the way.
To our faculty and staff: Thank you for your steadfast commitment to excellence in education, research, and service. Your leadership and mentorship transform lives far beyond our campus walls.
Welcome to a new year of purpose, promise and progress.
Paula M. Crone, DO
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Western University of Health Sciences
As we officially launch the new academic year at Western University of Health Sciences, I extend my warmest welcome to all—especially to our incoming students and new faculty who are beginning their journey with us, and to our returning students, faculty, and staff who continue the mission of our institution.
This academic year begins with renewed purpose. Across our campuses and programs, we are called to educate, to lead, and to serve in a time of great need and transformation in healthcare. The challenges we face—locally, nationally, and globally—require not only scientific knowledge, but compassion, innovation, and collaboration across every discipline.
At WesternU, we are proud to be a community where students are prepared not just to enter their professions, but to elevate them. Our commitment to humanism in healthcare, academic excellence, interprofessional education, and community impact will continue to guide our work throughout the year.
To our students: Your dreams, your values, and your “why” will be the foundation of the future of healthcare. Whether you are just beginning your academic path or returning with deeper focus, we believe in your potential and we are here to support you every step of the way.
To our faculty and staff: Thank you for your steadfast commitment to excellence in education, research, and service. Your leadership and mentorship transform lives far beyond our campus walls.
Welcome to a new year of purpose, promise and progress.
Paula M. Crone, DO
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Western University of Health Sciences
Office of the Provost
Western University of Health Sciences holds great pride in its vision of academic excellence and values of science, caring and humanism. Fostering and empowering these tenets is the cardinal charge of the Office of the Provost. The Provost for the university provides senior leadership for academic affairs, faculty affairs, student affairs, research, as well as academic operations for faculty, students, and staff.
The Provost works collaboratively across WesternU colleges and departments to corroborate access, quality, and outcomes of all academic programs and curricula. The Provost aligns resources for co-curricular and academic programming through targeted budgetary planning and priorities. Leadership of faculty affairs, including faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure is a critical provostial responsibility.
The Provost reports to the President of the university and, in his absence, acts on behalf of the President. The Provost serves as the spokesperson for academic matters at the University.
The Provost works collaboratively across WesternU colleges and departments to corroborate access, quality, and outcomes of all academic programs and curricula. The Provost aligns resources for co-curricular and academic programming through targeted budgetary planning and priorities. Leadership of faculty affairs, including faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure is a critical provostial responsibility.
The Provost reports to the President of the university and, in his absence, acts on behalf of the President. The Provost serves as the spokesperson for academic matters at the University.
WesternU Names Dr. Heather Phipps COMP-Northwest Site Dean
Western University of Health Sciences has selected Heather Phipps, DO, MBA, as Site Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest), effective August 18, 2025. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Heather Phipps as the new Site Dean for COMP-Northwest,” said COMP and COMP-Northwest Dean Lisa Warren, DO ’01, MBA. “She brings not only a wealth of leadership and clinical experience, but also a deep commitment to working in partnership with our students, faculty, and the broader community.
WesternU College of Dental Medicine Awards Delta Dental Community Care Foundation Scholarships
Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Dental Medicine recently awarded four students with the Delta Dental Endowed Scholarship for Opportunity. CDM received a $1 million grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and affiliates, to launch the Delta Dental Endowed Scholarships for Opportunity program.
America’s Shortage of Veterinarians Veterinary Medicine Students Profiled in L.A. Times Article
California faces a shortage of professional veterinarians, partly due to high turnover rate in the field and a surge in pet ownership spurred by the pandemic. More than 344,000 shelter animals in California do not have adequate access to veterinary care staff. Across the state, about 60% of shelters say they have unfilled veterinarian positions. Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Veterinary Medicine is one of only two accredited veterinary colleges in California.
WesternU Among Best Medical Schools Makes U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Rankings
For the second consecutive year, 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. WesternU could not be more proud of its faculty, administration, staff and students for this incredible achievement. This is affirmation of our commitment to creating healthy communities. Notable rankings:
• Tier 1 – Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
• #6 – Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care
• Tier 1 – Best Medical Schools: Primary Care
• #6 – Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care
Welcome Dean Evans Grayson College of Health Sciences
“The College of Health Sciences is well-positioned to build on its success through interprofessional education, program innovation, and community partnership,” said WesternU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Paula M. Crone, DO ’92. “We are excited about what lies ahead and confident that Dr. Evans Grayson’s leadership will continue to elevate CHS and WesternU as a whole.”
New Innovative PharmD-MBA Pathway Program WesternU Partners With Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly Pomona’s Singelyn Graduate School of Business (CPP SGSB) and the College of Pharmacy (COP) at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) are proud to announce an exciting new partnership to launch the dual assurance PharmD-MBA Program.
