Healthcare Expansion Groundbreaking Celebration

Olympic College and partners celebrate construction that will transform the Poulsbo Campus

News Release for Immediate Release

Feb. 14, 2025

Poulsbo, Wash. – With the ceremonial first swing of commemorative sledgehammers, Olympic College leaders, project partners, and elected officials celebrated the start of construction on a project that will transform health care education in our region. The college is embarking on an ambitious project to remodel the Poulsbo Campus into a state-of-the-art home for proposed programs in Radiologic Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Surgical Technologist programs.

The remodel is part of Phase 1 of an expansion project that includes new programs in Phlebotomy and a Corpsman/Medic to Practical Nursing pathway that launched in 2024. Both of these programs are currently being taught at our Bremerton Campus.

“Today marks the start of a construction project that, when finished, will allow Olympic College to educate and train highly-skilled workers who will fill desperately needed positions right here in our own community at hospitals like St. Michael Medical Center,” said Olympic College President Marty Cavalluzzi, Ph.D. “In fact, this project would not be possible without the generous support of our partners at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), and the Kitsap County Commissioners.”

In December 2023, Olympic College announced the collaboration with VMFH and Kitsap County to fund the healthcare expansion. Kitsap County Commissioners contributed $6 million in American Recovery Plan Act funding, and VMFH is contributing $2.5 million, with an additional $2 million from Olympic College.

"At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we are deeply committed to expanding access to high-quality health care and strengthening the workforce that supports our communities,” said Ketul J. Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and President of CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region. “This partnership with Olympic College and Kitsap County is a transformative step in ensuring that future generations of health care professionals are trained right here in our region. By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we are not only addressing the current shortage of skilled workers but also laying the foundation for innovative, patient-centered care for years to come.”

The need for healthcare professionals is well-documented. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,000 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Allocating funds to this project was right in line with the Board of Kitsap County Commissioners’ desire to address current challenges, while also meeting the region’s future needs and advancing workforce development opportunities in our community.

“Our partnership with Olympic College and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health shows the power of collaboration. By expanding healthcare education at Olympic College’s Poulsbo Campus, we’re creating pathways to high-wage careers, strengthening our workforce, and ensuring better healthcare access for Kitsap’s future,” said Katie Walters, Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, District 3.

The Poulsbo Campus remodel is expected to be completed in August, with classes slated to begin Sep. 22 for the Fall Quarter. The campus remains open for existing programs and services, including our partner programs with Western Washington University, during construction.

Visit the Olympic College Healthcare Expansion webpage for all the latest project news and information. And, subscribe to our newsletter for quarterly progress updates.

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About Olympic College

You’re on a journey and Olympic College will help you reach your destination. Cutting edge programs. World-class facilities. Small class sizes. Professors who know you by name. A welcoming community. We offer all of this and more at a fraction of the cost of universities. Your first stop is the Olympic College Welcome Center, where you’ll receive one-on-one help with every step in the admissions process. Start your journey at Olympic.edu.

About Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, offering access to some of the country’s most prestigious experts and hospitals that are internationally known for superior quality. With a team of 18,000 team members, including nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers, we unite the brightest health care minds in the region to provide world-class clinical excellence at 10 hospitals and nearly 300 sites of care throughout the Puget Sound area. We are proud to be the home of Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research. We embrace our community’s uniquely vibrant, active culture by providing holistic, personalized and patient-centered care. We are committed to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities, especially the poor and underserved, providing more than $300 million in community benefit – free, subsidized, and reduced cost health care and programs. Learn more at www.vmfh.org

About Kitsap County

Located in Washington, Kitsap County is home to over 270,000 residents across 566 square miles, making it the seventh-largest county in the state. Bordered by the Hood Canal and Puget Sound, Kitsap offers residents, businesses, and visitors a stunning natural beauty and a unique blend of urban amenities and rural charm. The county includes the cities of Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island, as well as many unincorporated communities. 

Kitsap County is led by a three-member Board of Commissioners that is committed to providing high-quality services and amenities that enhance the quality of life for all residents while fostering economic growth, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

For more information about Kitsap County services and initiatives, visit www.kitsap.gov.