University of San Diego and Palomar Health Enter New Transformative Partnership

San Diego, CA – September 19, 2024 – The University of San Diego (USD) and Palomar Health are excited to announce a transformative new partnership aimed at revolutionizing health and wellness for both the campus community and the wider San Diego region. Among several new initiatives between USD and Palomar Health, the collaboration will also result in the naming of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center at the University of San Diego. This three-story, 80,000 square-foot facility, currently under construction at USD, will set a new standard for inclusive wellness resources and NCAA Division 1 basketball practice facilities for the university’s student-athletes.

Scheduled to open in January 2025, the wellness center represents a shared commitment to promoting health education, research and community engagement. This collaboration leverages Palomar Health’s expertise in healthcare services and the University of San Diego’s dedication to academic excellence and student well-being.

The partnership also includes:

The wellness center, the central fixture of the partnership, will provide accessible indoor and outdoor spaces where the entire campus community can find connections between physical activity, diet and nutrition, mental health, inner self, engagement and belonging. The facility will also include an innovative teaching kitchen that will meet the needs of the university and its surrounding community for holistic wellness resources. Programs for students and the community can include nutrition workshops, healthy cooking classes, connections to community/school gardens, farmer’s markets and local restaurants, as well as food and culture programs that bring our ethnically diverse communities closer together.

The collaboration between Palomar Health and the University of San Diego underscores their shared values of innovation, compassion and community service. By combining their strengths, both institutions aim to drive positive health outcomes and create lasting impacts in the region.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for our institution and the community we serve,” said James T. Harris III, DEd, President of the University of San Diego. “Partnering with Palomar Health will set a new standard of inclusive wellness. The new facility will ensure our students nourish their mind, body, and soul while developing intellectually throughout their studies at USD. I am also excited about the important and transformative connections this new center will bring.”

“We are excited to join forces with the University of San Diego to create a wellness partnership that provides top-tier health services,” shared Diane Hansen, President and CEO of Palomar Health. “Our work with USD represents our dedication to reimagining a culture of proactive health, lifelong learning and community empowerment.”

For the b-roll and interviews from today’s event, click here. For renderings of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center at the University of San Diego, click here.