TACOMA, Wash. — MultiCare Health System opened a new clinical and training space this week to house the Tacoma Family Medicine and OB Access clinics, along with three graduate medical education programs ­­— the Tacoma Family Medicine Residency Program, the Rural Family Medicine with Obstetrics Fellowship and the Omak Rural Training Program.

Tacoma Family Medicine has been at the heart of delivering full-spectrum, compassionate care, especially to underserved populations in Tacoma, for over 45 years. The expanded space, located at 1112 6th Ave. in Tacoma, will support increased patient volumes, and the state-of-the-art learning environment will give residents and fellows dedicated work and clinical space.

The 22,000-square-foot, two-story facility is located on the MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital campus. It will house 28 residents and six fellows, as well as the faculty and staff teams who teach and support these young physicians. The new family medicine clinic has 32 exam rooms, a significant increase from 21 in the previous location, and the obstetrics clinic has grown from eight to 13 exam rooms.

“This building is where we will train the next generation of physicians, developing professionalism and collegiality; where we will continue the commitment to science and evidence-based medicine,” said David O’Brien, MD, executive vice president and chief physician officer.

The new facility, he continued, is a place “where science and art are joined to provide the kind of care that we aspire to. Where we can make a difference in our patients’ lives and where we can cure when possible, but where we can always heal.”

Since its establishment in 1978, the Tacoma Family Medicine Residency Program has trained more than 300 physicians, many of whom continue to practice in local communities. The Rural Family Medicine with Obstetrics Fellowship has graduated nearly 150 fellows since its inception in 1989. The new space demonstrates MultiCare’s continued support for these legacy programs, ensuring a steady supply of skilled, compassionate doctors committed to the community’s health and well-being.

“This investment is about providing the best resources for our residents, fellows and faculty, training the next generation of physicians so they can set their roots here and be part of serving our community in the future,” said Jennifer Knowles, MD, chief academic officer. “As one of the largest clinical training sites in the Pacific Northwest, MultiCare is committed to the growth of graduate medical education programs, and this clinic is a key part of building a sustainable health care workforce for our community.”