Two decades ago, the Pat Walker Health Center was established through a $3 million gift toward construction from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
This November marked this major milestone — 20 years of supporting the health and well-being of the University of Arkansas community through compassionate, comprehensive, and evidence-based care. Since its opening in 2004, PWHC has remained a vital resource for students, faculty, and staff, providing a diverse range of services, from medical and mental health services to substance education and recovery services.
“Probably one of my earliest memories of Pat Walker Health Center was Pat Walker herself,” said AJ Olsen, director of Medical Services. “She was so proud of this facility and what she was able to help us create for this campus, that she would come on-site often.”
The health center is named after Pat Walker, born Amy Seamans, who was a lifelong philanthropist and co-founder of the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. Then-Chancellor John White asked Pat Walker if the facility could be named after her, and Pat Walker, of course, said yes.
“And it was amazing the fact that we’re on the corner of Maple and Garland,” said Mary Alice Serafini, previous associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and executive director of the PWHC. “We never dreamed this would happen.”
Ryan Miller, now senior development officer for Camp Aldersgate, was an undergrad student and member of the Student Health Advisory Committee when the new health center opened in 2004. He is one of the students in the photo of Pat Walker with students on display in the health center.
“I was surprised how down to earth she was,” Miller said of Pat Walker. “When you think about wealthy benefactors, you expect they might be snobby or aloof towards students, but Mrs. Walker was so kind and warm to be around.”
For two decades, departments and health care providers in the PWHC have stayed true to their mission of promoting and supporting integrated health and wellness. By fostering a two-way partnership with the campus community, staff ensure the services offered inside the PWHC are student-driven, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving health needs of U of A.
“I think the engagement of students is the dream come true,” said Serafini, reflecting on the impact PWHC has made over the last two decades to improve the campus community’s health and well-being.
“I remember going to the health center in what is now the Nursing School. Some people called it the Infirmary, which was intimidating,” Miller said. “The new Health Center’s facilities were state of the art. Plus, they were in the core of campus, which made it easier for more students to access them.”
In 2018, an expansion of the facility allowed for further growth and opportunities to serve the U of A community. A gift of $1 million from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation was received to support three new classrooms and the suicide prevention program in CAPS.
“When I think about the expansion of the building in 2018, that was really key for us,” said Josette Cline, director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). “CAPS was the recipient of the largest increase in square footage in our expansion.”
The 20,000-square-foot addition to the facility provided a 100 percent increase in dedicated space for CAPS, and other services offered at PWHC were also able to expand such as the GYN (Women’s) Clinic, the integrated behavioral health program, the orthopedic sports medicine program, and dietician services, all offered through Medical Services.
“College can be intimidating to anyone – but especially to those coming from more rural areas of Arkansas or who are the first members of their families to step foot on campus,” Miller said. “The Pat Walker Health Center alleviates some of that concern because students can use the health care services provided in the heart of campus. This is just another example of the University of Arkansas providing all types of services to all types of students so that they can succeed in the pursuit of their education.”
Charles Smith is an exercise science major and the current president of Hogs for Health (previously known as the Student Health Advisory Committee), the student group helping promote the work of the health center.
“As our campus continues to grow with more students, faculty, facilities and opportunities – so too does Pat Walker Health Center,” Smith said. “With our most recent addition of state-of-the-art classrooms and suites completed in 2018, we continue to meet the needs of our university community. The 20th anniversary marks an important milestone in our university.”
“Looking to the future, I hope to see Pat Walker Health Center continue to excel in putting students, staff, and faculty at the forefront of their care and continue to cultivate a comfortable environment for everyone to learn and succeed in a comfortable, healthy college environment,” Smith said.
As part of this 20th anniversary celebration, PWHC released a commemorative video that highlights its journey, values, and the passionate teams that bring these services to life. The video, created by UA Productions, features reflections from key leaders, both past and present, who share how PWHC received its name, the growth of the facility and services to meet the evolving needs of the U of A community, and the lasting impact PWHC has made and continues to make on campus.
The future is bright for the next 20 years at PWHC, and we invite you to join us in celebrating 20 years of PWHC’s dedication to health and well-being, integrity, and student success. Watch the full video to see how PWHC’s commitment to quality, partnership, and responsibility has made it a cornerstone of health on campus.
Please watch the live recording from the 2018 topping ceremony.
Breeanne Carter and Gustavo Samudio contributed to this story, a version of which ran in Arkansas News.