It’s officially open! A gauze “ribbon” was cut the ribbon on Wednesday, officially opening a new building for students in Spokane.

The 90,000-square-foot building in Spokane’s University District is the academic home to 120 first- and second-year students, as well as Gonzaga University’s Department of Human Physiology and more than 500 GU undergraduates in nursing and health sciences, plus faculty and staff. 

In KREM TV’s report, UWSOM Spokane MS2 Samartha Shrestha said, “I am so excited to stay in the new building. Our classes start in about two weeks for second years. We’re excited to start in the new anatomy labs, also the new facilities. I’ve had some chances to be inside the rooms, great study spaces – great technology advancements as well.”

Here’s some of what the Spokesman-Review had to say:

Students, elected officials and university presidents alike said they hope the new building will help address the health care worker shortage in rural Washington.

That shortage can reduce access to health care for people who live in rural areas. No one should get worse health care just because they live in the wrong zip code, said Washington State legislator Rep. Marcus Riccelli from Spokane. 

“This is America,” Riccelli said, “we’re better than that.”

You can go here on Facebook for more photos of the event.