University of Jamestown Opens Phoenix Health Sciences Center After $7M Gift

A $7 million donation has established the Dr. Jo‑Ida C. Hansen Institute of Sponsored Programs, Innovation, and Research Excellence (InSPIRE) and funded the University of Jamestown’s new Health Sciences and Graduate Center in Phoenix, officials announced after a Jan. 30 ribbon-cutting at the Cotton Center.

The center at 4405 East Cotton Center Blvd, Ste 120 will host a two-year on-campus Pathologists' Assistant program designed to address a national shortage of pathology professionals. It will also serve as a hub for UJ’s two 100% online master’s programs: the Master of Science in Computational Pathology and Digital Medicine (MSCPDM) and the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS). University materials emphasize curricular integration of artificial intelligence, computational pathology, and digital medicine across those offerings.

The $7 million gift, made by University trustee Dr. Jo‑Ida C. Hansen, is being used to develop the InSPIRE initiative, which UJ says will elevate research opportunities for faculty and students across its campuses and help the university pursue a Carnegie Foundation research designation. University leaders described the contribution as transformational; one report noted it as the second-largest donation in the school’s 143-year history. Alumna Dr. Kerstin Leuther was named to lead the InSPIRE institute.

University representatives and city officials attended the Phoenix ceremony. Peterson said, "This facility represents more than a building; it represents a response to real healthcare challenges, real workforce needs, and real opportunities to serve patients, families, and communities better. It's a testament to UJ's mission to prepare students for lives of purpose and impact." Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who participated in the ribbon-cutting and is pictured holding the scissors in event photos, framed the center as part of a broader economic and public health strategy. "When I ran for mayor, I envisioned Phoenix as the premier hub for biotechnology, life sciences, and advanced healthcare innovation," she said. "The University of Jamestown's presence here is a game-changer. Programs like the Pathologists' Assistant and digital medicine will not only address our city's urgent workforce shortages but also bring new tools and faster, more accurate diagnoses to our healthcare system. What a difference this will make for the people of Phoenix."

Local implications extend beyond education. Phoenix’s rapid growth has outpaced health care infrastructure, and city leaders have prioritized attracting life sciences and biotech jobs. University officials say the center will expand the "Jimmie footprint" in the Southwest and create new pathways for students to enter high-demand clinical and research roles.

Residents and prospective students seeking program details or enrollment information can contact the University of Jamestown Phoenix location at (701) 557-8071 or the Jamestown main campus at 6000 College Lane, Jamestown, ND, (701) 252-3467. As programs begin to enroll, the center’s blend of hands-on pathology training and online digital medicine coursework signals a shift toward locally accessible, technology-driven health workforce development that could yield faster diagnoses, new research opportunities, and more skilled clinicians serving the region.