RSSPresident of Pacific Northwest University abruptly leaves
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Sunnyside shooting suspects sought
- Man shot in shoulder
- Yakima woman swerves to miss deer, receives minor injuries
- YVCC, CWU students protest proposed tuition hikes, budget cuts
- State Senate moves to toughen Washington cell phone driving law
- Lane restrictions at Nob Hill Blvd. on Saturday
- Shutdown of Ahtanum View Corrections Center begun
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Dr. Stan Flemming, president of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, has abruptly left his position without explanation after two years on the job.
According to board president Karen Hyatt, Flemming, 56, informed the university board of trustees of his decision last week. The board accepted the decision Wednesday.
Hyatt declined to elaborate on the reasons for Flemming's exit, calling them "personal." But she suggested it was Flemming's choice.
"I asked Stan to really think hard about his decision," Hyatt said.
Flemming said in an e-mail to the Yakima Herald-Republic that he would have no immediate comment.
His departure puts Yakima's relatively new medical school in a new phase of uncertainty. He was the third leader at the university in four years.
Hyatt called the news disappointing but a reflection of "growing pains."
Pacific Northwest University had an employment contract with Flemming, but Hyatt declined to say whether the board bought out the remainder of his term. According to the university's most recent statement filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Flemming's annual salary was $305,803.
As top administrator of Yakima's medical school, Flemming presided over the inaugural class of students, which is now in its second year. He also oversaw the addition of two new colleges -- Allied Health Sciences and Postgraduate Studies. A former state legislator, he worked with Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, to secure $800,000 in state funding for the university from the 2009 Legislature.
Johnson said Thursday he was shocked to hear of Flemming's departure. "This surprises me. I certainly wish him well," Johnson said.
The first university president, Dr. Greg Mick, resigned in December 2006 after board members learned he had surrendered his medical license in Alabama because of patient complaints.
Interim president Fred Tinning stepped in until Flemming was hired in November 2007. The school's first class in the College of Osteopathic Medicine began in August 2008.
Dr. Lloyd Butler, a founding member of the university, will serve as interim president. A national search for Flemming's replacement will be launched and could take as long as two years, Hyatt said.
She said the university is on solid financial footing and has a team of leaders in place.
"Our solid team of talented, passionate and experienced faculty, staff and administrators remains intact, focused and committed," Hyatt said.
Flemming's wife is a school principal. The couple has continued to own a home in University Place, which is in Pierce County.
Although his family did not relocate to Yakima, Flemming was active in community affairs in the Yakima Valley, serving on the boards of the Yakima Health District and New Vision, the county economic development agency.
Flemming received a degree in osteopathic medicine in 1985 from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. He earlier received a commission in the Army, where he rose to the rank of brigadier general. He commanded field hospitals in Kosovo and served as a battalion surgeon in Kuwait.
* Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 509-577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com.
Thank you Dr. Flemming for carrying through the mission of getting PNWU up and running so successfully. The potential the university has to drive health care regionally and the economy locally is endless. Dr. Flemming's vision took the university to levels of excellence that don't normally happen until further along the journey.
For board, staff and students, it is always painful to say goodbye to a friend, but it is even more important to recognize and embrace the gifts that come with positive change. Keep up the good work PNWU, the best is yet to come!
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
