Spokane is a vital hub for comprehnsive health care services, for medical research, education and training opportunities, and for development of new leading-edge medical products and technologies. The city is the health care hub of the Inland Northwest, with the largest concentration of medical services in a four state region and into Canada. The health service industry has played a vital role in the region’s economy for nearly 125 years.

This billion-dollar industry sector is home to over 1,000 businesses led by five major hospitals, and is powered by a workforce of 35,000, including over 900 physicians. Health care is the largest employer in the region, representing 12.5 percent of the local employment base.

Bioscience is expanding in the region with projects in both the private and public sectors, and more than 500 research studies and clinical trials are currently underway.  These projects play an increasingly important role in defining the area’s economy as they expand from research to production.

The 770-acre University District, in downtown Spokane, was designated a Washington State Innovation Partnership Zone. Washington State University, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University and Community Colleges of Spokane all have a presence in the University District. With a combined 11,500 students in the University District alone, the higher-education community is a valuable resource offering a large pool of bright, qualified workers, and professional-development opportunities. Under construction, the new comprehensive Academic Health Sciences Center on the Riverpoint campus, will transform the future of health care with a new kind of teaching and research center integrating the schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Public Health and Allied Health.

Representative Employers |  Education