Pat Walker Health Center Celebrates 20 Years of Compassionate & Holistic Care

Pat Walker Health Center

Watch the Pat Walker Health Center 20th Anniversary video on YouTube at the end of the article.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – 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 marks 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. 

As part of this 20th anniversary celebration, PWHC is releasing a commemorative video that highlights its journey, values, and the passionate teams that bring these services to life. The video 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. 

"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." 

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. 

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. 

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 on YouTube below and a teaser clip on Instagram and Facebook reels to see how PWHC's commitment to quality, partnership, and responsibility has made it a cornerstone of health on campus. 

For more information about the resources and services offered at PWHC, visit health.uark.edu and @uarkhealth on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.