EMMA PIRHALA /NEWS EDITOR

USD announced the establishment of a partnership with Palomar  Health, a prominent medical provider and hospital system in San Diego’s North County, during a ceremony on Sep. 18. The central aspect of the partnership revolves around the new Wellness Center, which was officially named the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center.      At  the naming ceremony, the University announced that the Wellness Center is scheduled to open in Jan. 2025. In a comment to The USD Vista, the University’s public relations team provided insight into the facility’s opening.

“We expect to receive TCO [Temporary Condition of Occupancy] in December.  The grand opening celebration will be held when the students return for the spring semester,” the University stated. 

The opening date for the new facility comes nearly six months later than the original date of Aug. 2024. The University’s public relations team did not provide information regarding the delays. However, last semester, the USD Vista contacted the University for information regarding the delays, and Cameran Zech, Associate Director of Media Relations, explained the prolonged construction.

“We have experienced a range of challenges, including delays in the City issuing building permits, unusually high rainfall both last year and this year, significant cost escalation in the commercial construction industry  and logistics and supply chain issues,” Zech detailed to the Vista in April 2024. 

Many students are upset with the prolonged construction of the facility. USD first-year Reed Lanham expressed his frustration with the project. “As a freshman, I haven’t had any hopes that the building would be done sooner than January,” Lanham said. “I live in Valley B with a window view looking right at the construction. I wish I could say it’s moving fast, but seeing the progress move, I’m only hoping that the date will stay January.”

Lanham detailed his wishes for the facility and his hopes for more cohesive wellness initiatives centered around the Center. 

“I constantly get information about our wellness systems here, but honestly I find it hard to keep track of how to use it. I am hoping the new Wellness Center provides easy help with smaller problems,” Lanham stated.

Alongside the Wellness Center, the new partnership will lead to further collaboration between Palomar  Health  and  USD. For students pursuing paths in therapy and nursing, Palomar will be the main partner for practical placement opportunities. USD sophomore Abigail Moeslacher plans to major in nursing and pursue a career in health.

“Being in San Diego, you’re around the best hospitals like Scripps and Sharp. But, I think a lot of those student opportunities are held for UC San Diego students,” Moeslacher explained. “I think having an opportunity where USD is connected with a specific healthcare program really benefits all the pre-health students here. And I’m a nursing student, hopefully to be in the Master’s program at USD, so knowing they have a more solidified relationship confirms my idea that I want to pursue my degree here.”

A press statement from USD explained  that the partnership will also work to provide therapeutic services for members of the USD community, such as biofeedback, a process which helps patients control their breathing and heart rate, and pet therapy. Palomar may also serve as a telehealth partner in the future. 

USD President James T. Harris III expressed his excitement for the partnership in a press release. 

“Partnering with Palomar Health will set a new standard of inclusive wellness,” Harris said. “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.”

Students await the grand opening of the Wellness Center, as the  facility  begins to take its shape. 

The new partnership between USD and Palomar Health will provide placement opportunities for students. Photo courtesy of @uofsandiego/Instagram