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News and Updates

News and Updates

Olympia staffers participate in the UW’s Stop the Bleed training

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Legislative and security staff participated in Stop the Bleed training led by Harborview Medical Center’s Dr. Eileen Bulger and Maria Paulsen, RN. Staff were trained to become an immediate responder to bleeding injuries, which can happen anywhere and are the leading cause of preventable death in multiple casualty events. Instructors worked with staff until they gained the skills to recognize life-threatening bleeding and effectively control it using techniques such as packing and a tourniquet.

For more information about the UW’s Stop the Bleed training, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital budget staff visit the UW

Capital budget staff from the legislature and Governor’s office traveled to the UW to receive a capital planning and development overview and participate in a discussion about the UW’s building account. They also had the opportunity to tour campus and visit the health sciences education space, the new population health building, Parrington Hall, and the Burke Museum.

Mental health stakeholders from across the state convene at the HUB

Participants at the Washington State Mental Health Summit discussed the mental health and addiction challenges facing many Washingtonians and took the opportunity to collaborate on new ideas for improving behavioral health care in the state. Hundreds of stakeholders participated with varying professional and lived experience backgrounds.

During the summit, Rep. Frank Chopp was recognized for his hard work and dedication to improving mental health care for Washington residents. Reps. Lisa Callan, Lauren Davis, Tina Orwall, Joe Schmick, and Tana Senn and Sen. Manka Dhingra also participated as presenters or panelists.

Visit wamhsummit.org/about for more information about the Washington State Mental Health Summit.

Plans announced for a new medical education building in Spokane

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The UW School of Medicine and Gonzaga University will open a new center for medical education, health sciences and innovation on Gonzaga’s campus in Spokane in 2022. This exciting project is made possible through a public-private partnership with McKinstry, who will design, build and manage the $60 million 80,000 square foot building.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce participated in the announcement in Spokane alongside Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh, UW School of Medicine Dean Dr. Paul Ramsey, and McKinstry CEO Dean Allen. Spokane elected officials and community leaders also shared in the announcement.

To learn more, click here.

(image credit: Gonzaga University)

2019 Committee Assembly days held by the House

On Sept. 12 and 13, the House of Representatives held their first 2019 Committee Assembly days. At the request of legislators, members of the UW faculty participated in work sessions to present their research and provide expertise on topics ranging from cannabis to water quality. Legislators will utilize this information to inform policy decisions in the future.

The state relations team also had the opportunity to thank the members of the Appropriations Committee for the legislature’s investment in House Bill 2158 last session, which provided historic funding to Washington students and higher education.

The Senate is scheduled to hold their Committee Assembly days Nov. 20–21 and the House will hold their second session Nov. 21–22.

 

Burke Museum celebrates the grand opening of their new facility

The Burke Museum hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of their new facility. The Burke Museum was founded in 1885 and is formally known as The Washington State Museum of Natural History and Culture. It is operated by the UW and cares for and exhibits natural and cultural collections that help us better understand the Northwest’s past.

Thank you to State Reps. Roger Goodman, Frank Chopp, and Debra Entenman, State Sens. Mark Mullet, Jamie Pedersen, and Jim Honeyford, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Gov. Jay Inslee for attending the grand opening and continuing to support the Burke Museum.

To learn more about the Burke Museum, please visit burkemuseum.org.

President Cauce featured in Ahead of the Curve profile

Legacy Washington unveiled their Ahead of the Curve education project featuring UW President Ana Mari Cauce. The project celebrates the national suffrage centennial and highlights historical and contemporary Washington women who have helped advance women since Washington first granted women the right to vote in 1883.

The project also features other notable UW alumni, including:

  • Former Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire
  • Five-term president of the Quinault Indian Nation Fawn Sharp
  • Former Washington State Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen
  • Author and activist Stephanie Coontz

Check out the Ahead of the Curve profiles here.

UW’s new population health sciences building on track for completion

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Sen. David Frockt helped celebrate the placing of the final beam in the UW’s new center for population health sciences – a significant milestone in a project that has consistently been on time and on budget. At the UW, we believe improving population health worldwide is a moral imperative, driven by our public mission of service to all. Scheduled for completion in 2020, this building will create space for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation to better understand and improve the factors that influence the health and well-being of Washingtonians and people around the globe.

Thank you to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sen. Frockt, and the Washington State Legislature for providing the funding to make this center a reality.

The Healthy Energy Workers Group participates in a tour of Hanford

On Aug. 20, the UW’s Department of Environmental & Educational Health Sciences convened a work group comprised of stakeholders from the WA State Department of Labor & Industries, WA State Department of Health, multiple labor union representatives, and Harborview’s Center of Excellence for Chemical Exposures to tackle the difficult problem of Hanford workers’ exposure to chemicals and their subsequent health issues.

The day began with a tour of the Hanford site, including visiting tank farms where nuclear waste is stored, and ended with a meeting discussing barriers to appropriate health care and how to address the gap between healthcare specialists and the workers that need services. The work group will meet four more times in 2019 before presenting a report to the legislature on how to best create a Healthy Energy Workers Board.

Rep. Chopp and the King County Council visit Harborview

Rep. Frank Chopp visited Harborview Medical Center to discuss the future of Harborview’s capital infrastructure with the King County Council. Harborview’s primary mission is to provide care to the most vulnerable residents in our state and they continue to exemplify that mission as the leading provider of healthcare to Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured patients in Washington. They work at or above capacity and never turn away a patient, hence the critical capital infrastructure needs. While at Harborview, Rep. Chopp and the King County Council had the opportunity to tour and see firsthand the needs of the emergency department, trauma center, psychiatry emergency services and burn unit.

They also discussed King County and Washington’s behavioral health challenges and the hope for a new behavioral health institute to help address these challenges.

Gov. Inslee visits the R/V Russell Davis Light

Gov. Jay Inslee participated in a ride-along on the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC) and the UW’s Applied Physics Laboratory’s (APL) newest research vessel, the Russell Davis Light, to learn more about marine renewable energy technologies. Named after a late longtime APL researcher, the R/V Light is specially designed to test marine renewable energy instrumentation, robotics and other technologies in real-world conditions. Driving the vessel at various speeds simulates tides and ocean currents in order to test marine energy turbines in preparation for a turbine being placed in the Puget Sound. The turbine tested on the brief ride-along generated 1 kilowatt of energy – enough to power a space heater for one hour!

Thank you Gov. Inslee for your interest in and support of the UW’s research on marine renewable energy.

Sen. Frockt champions firearm injury prevention research at Harborview

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On Friday, Sen. David Frockt and leaders at Harborview Medical Center announced the Harborview Injury and Prevention Research Center (HIPRC) will receive $1 million in state funding over the next two years to research firearm injuries and deaths and develop strategies to reducing gun violence.

Harborview is the regional Trauma 1 hospital for critically injured patients in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, so they have extensive experience in treating patients with firearm-related injuries. In recent years, they have seen an uptick in patients with these types injuries, so funding for gun violence research to determine the scope of the problem and potential solutions is critical.

Gun violence research funding is restricted at the federal level since Congress passed the Dickey Amendment in 1996, which makes state funding the only viable option to advancing this research. HIPRC will use the state funding provided to look at the issue holistically, including the impacts and effectiveness of current and prospective public policy.

Gun violence is an issue that touches every Washington resident. Dr. Fred Rivara, a pediatrician and researcher at HIPRC, said that 99% of us will know someone in our lifetimes injured or killed by firearms.

Thank you to Sen. Frockt and the Washington State Legislature for providing funding for this important and impactful research.

Legislators visit UW Tacoma, which raises $108,000 for student emergency aid

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Legislators joined more than 200 UW Tacoma supporters and community leaders at UW Tacoma’s annual Summer Soiree benefiting an emergency aid fund for students experiencing financial crisis. Each year, it is estimated that nearly three million students face a financial crisis of one form or another and leave school over an expense of less than $1,000. This unexpected financial expense could be related to medical bills, housing or utility costs, or the breakdown of a car. Over the past year, UW Tacoma’s emergency response team has addressed more than 100 student emergencies! Attendees at this year’s Summer Soiree helped raise $108,000 for student emergency aid, which will be put to great use ensuring UW Tacoma students have the resources they need to stay in school.

During this event, legislators also had the opportunity to visit UW Tacoma’s temporary Academic Innovation Lab, which enables students to dream up and test new ideas in the fields of engineering and technology. UW Tacoma constantly strives to find creative ways to support their unique student population, as well as the local community and employers. The Academic Innovation Lab is an exceptional space for students to explore and learn and UW Tacoma looks forward to working with the state legislature to expand opportunities for students in the South Puget Sound.

Thank you to Sens. Reuven Carlyle, David Frockt, Emily Randall, and Claire Wilson, Reps. Chris Gildon, Drew Hansen, and Laurie Jinkins for attending!

 

Sen. Braun visits local students at UW’s STEM Camp in Chehalis

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This week, the UW partnered with the Chehalis and Hoquiam School Districts and the Quinault Indian Nation to host a STEM camp for incoming 9–12th graders focused on engineering and medical science. At this one-of-a-kind camp, faculty and students from the UW College of Engineering and UW Medicine provided local students with opportunities to interact with cutting-edge technology and science.

Teams of students built core engineering skills as they used computer design, 3D printing and prototyping processes to design a gravity car for ultimate performance. Students also utilized a team science approach in a simulated lab environment to learn about complex medical procedures and trauma care.

Sen. John Braun, who represents the local 20th legislative district, stopped by to speak with the students and watch them in action as they engaged in hands-on learning in the fields of engineering and medicine. Thank you, Sen. Braun!

Legislators engage with UW faculty in their local communities

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Recently, twenty-five new UW faculty members participated in the UW’s annual five-day Faculty Field Tour to explore Washington’s diverse communities and learn about UW’s impact across the state. The tour visited communities throughout Washington, including Olympia, Vancouver, Toppenish, Richland, Ritzville and Spokane. At these stops, local legislators also had the opportunity to participate and engage with the faculty.

In Vancouver, Sen. Cleveland and Reps. Harris, Hoff and Wylie joined for dinner at the Heathman Lodge and participated in a lecture with Assistant Professor Alison Duvall about the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

In Toppenish, Rep. Corry met us at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, which is the largest community health center in the Pacific Northwest.

In Richland, Rep. Boehnke joined for the tour of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and had the opportunity to hear the sound of two black holes colliding.

Rep. Boehnke

In Ritzville, Sen. Schoesler generously invited the faculty members to visit and explore his family wheat farm and talked about his extensive experience as a Washington State wheat farmer and legislator.

Sen. Schoesler

In Spokane, Reps. Graham, McCaslin and Riccelli joined for breakfast at The Davenport and participated in conversation about economic development in Spokane and the UW’s impact.

Sen. Holy and Rep. Chandler also took the opportunity to meet with staff in-district to discuss some of the issues important to UW, UW Medicine and their local community and constituents.

Thank you to the legislators who participated! For more information about the UW Faculty Field Tour, click here.

Legislature adjourns after passing 2019-21 budgets

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Late Sunday evening, the legislature passed the 2019-21 operating and capital budgets, marking the end of the 105-day legislative session. The budgets have been delivered to Governor Inslee for signature.

The legislature made significant investments in the UW and higher education in the final compromise budgets. The budgets provide increased funding for student financial aid and critical foundational budgetary needs for the UW. Both the operating and capital budgets include key funding to support UW Medicine and the state’s behavioral health system. The final budgets will help ensure that the UW and our hospitals will be able to advance our public service missions and better serve the needs of our students, faculty and staff, and community. Thank you to our legislators for their hard work and support of UW!

For a comprehensive summary of the operating and capital budgets, click here to view a brief prepared by the UW’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

The UW Office of State Relations is grateful to the UW campus community, Board of Regents, and President Ana Mari Cauce for their efforts in Olympia this session. Check out President Cauce’s most recent blog post, where she provides her comments on the final budgets and results from the 2019 Legislative Session.

Stay tuned for updates during the interim.

News from Olympia: House and Senate budget proposals released

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It’s week 13 of the 2019 Legislative Session and the legislature is quickly approaching fiscal committee cutoff in the opposite house. After bills pass through their house-of-origin, they move to the opposite chamber for consideration. Bills must move to the floor of the opposite house for consideration by 5 p.m. today to remain alive. To view the legislative session cutoff calendar, click here.

Here are some of the highlights from the past few weeks:

The House and Senate have released their budget proposals
House and Senate leadership have released their 2019-21 state biennial operating and capital budget proposals. For details of the proposals, check out the budget brief prepared by the UW’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

These proposals follow the release of the Governor’s budget proposals in December. Legislators from both chambers will begin negotiating compromise operating and capital budgets soon. The budgets must be finalized by the end of the 2019 legislative session, which is currently scheduled for Apr. 28.

President Cauce travels to Olympia for the third time
President Ana Mari Cauce visited Olympia yesterday, Apr. 8, to meet with House and Senate leaders and budget writers. During her meetings, she discussed the budget proposals and advocated for critical foundational support for the UW.

She also spoke with ASUW students in town for their legislative advocacy day. They connected on their mutual priority of access and affordability in higher education. Discussions specifically focused on the commitment lawmakers made to fully fund the State Need Grant (being rebranded as the Washington Promise Scholarship) and the importance of that funding for low-income students.

President Cauce’s passionate advocacy is essential to the legislative success of the UW. Thank you, President Cauce!

AMC Student Lunch 2 (3)

Provost Richards and UW Regents visit Olympia
The UW Provost, Mark Richards, and Regents traveled to Olympia on Mar. 26 to meet with leaders and legislators in both the House and Senate. During these meetings, they championed the priorities outlined in the UW’s legislative agenda and asked lawmakers for their support. They also demonstrated the importance of higher education to our state’s residents and economy.

Thank you, Provost Richards and Regents! The UW is very fortunate to have such strong and committed leaders.

UW experts present before House and Senate committees
Dr. Gary Stobbe participated in a work session in the House Human Services and Early Learning Committee on developmental disabilities on Mar. 27. His brief focused on the need to provide higher quality and more accessible care for people with autism. His research and hands-on experience informed his policy and funding recommendations to the committee.

On Apr. 1, Dr. Beatriz Carlini and Dr. Nephi Stella made a presentation to the House Commerce and Gaming Committee as experts on cannabidiol (CBD). Their presentation included relevant, in-depth scientific information and studies related to CBD. They also focused on the continuing barriers to this important research.

That same day, Dr. Jacob Vigdor presented before the Senate Committee on Housing Stability & Affordability during a work session on rent control. Dr. Vigdor’s presentation provided a brief history of rent control practices in Washington State and across the nation. He also presented an objective look at the use of rent control or rent stabilization in other parts of the nation.

The UW’s experts fielded questions and provided legislators with valuable information that will help inform policy decisions in the future.

News from Olympia: House passes Speaker Chopp bill that plans for a UW behavioral health campus

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Late yesterday, the House unanimously passed legislation (HB 1593) to launch plans to establish a new behavioral health innovation and integration campus within the University of Washington School of Medicine and in coordination with the UW’s health sciences schools. The proposal directs the UW to plan for a new teaching facility with a capacity for 150 patients and the ability to train current and future health care providers to address the urgent need for mental health and substance abuse treatment across the state.

Speaker Frank Chopp prime sponsored the bill – his first prime sponsored legislation in 20 years – and spoke briefly, but passionately, about the importance of the proposal. Before asking for support, he highlighted the personal impacts of our state’s mental health crisis and noted that we need “more care for the people of our state and more caregivers.” Rep. Richard DeBolt also stood to speak in favor of the legislation. He spoke to the passion of Speaker Chopp and the need to address Washington’s mental health crisis now. He said it is a privilege to be able to support the proposal because “it is a solution for the future.”

The proposal will now head to the Senate for consideration.