Idaho State University Kasiska Division of Health Sciences

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Pocatello, ID
Idaho State University Kasiska Division of Health Sciences

Idaho's leader in health sciences education including pharmacy, nursing, oral and medical health.

Since the late 1980s, the Kasiska Family Foundation has donated $18 million to ISU and pledged additional support, bringing the total gift to over $20 million. The money has funded scholarships, health science programs, equipment, special events and conferences. Kasiska support for ISU began in the 1960s and 70s, thanks to sisters Eva and Mabel who inherited their father’s philanthropic spirit. William Frederick Kasiska emigrated from eastern Europe in 1881 and settled in Pocatello in the late 1890s. A skilled financier and former Pocatello mayor, he amassed a fortune in business, banking, ranching and real estate. Kasiska, who died in 1945, was known for helping young people finance their education or dipping into his pocket to help a friend in need.

“He always said he made his money here and he wanted to show his appreciation to the community that made it possible. It gave him great pleasure to help people and we like to carry on his work…’’ said daughter Eva in an Idaho State Journal newspaper article published in February 1974. That same article highlighted the Kasiska sisters’ early support of ISU—Eva and Mabel were often the first in the community to donate to an academic program or annual scholarship drive.

“We like to think we are helping to attract worthwhile students to the university,” Eva said. Mabel died in 1976 and Eva in 1986, but their spirit of giving continues through the Kasiska Family Foundation. Since 1987, close to 7000 ISU students have received Kasiska scholarships. Many have pursued advanced degrees—becoming nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, speech-language pathologists and physical therapists. Others have chosen to practice in rural Idaho communities, improving access to quality health care for thousands of citizens.

08/26/2025

08/25/2025

08/05/2025

Idaho State University students presented their Emergency Management Case Studies Symposium Thursday night.

07/23/2025

07/18/2025

07/07/2025

With deep gratitude and a touch of sadness, we bid farewell to Sister Greving as she begins her well-deserved retirement. Her unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to ISU and KDHS have left a lasting impact on our community.

Sister Greving, your presence will be greatly missed by the entire KDHS family. We wish you all the best in this new chapter. May it be filled with joy, rest, and all the things you love most.

Thank you for everything.

05/20/2025

So proud of our incredible student-athletes! 🎓👏 Shoutout to Sophia Covello for being featured in ISU Today for her outstanding accomplishments, including earning her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Hard work pays off! 💪
https://www.isu.edu/news/2025-spring/college-of-healths-sophia-covello-graduates-despite-early-setbacks.html

05/16/2025

Congratulations to our Meridian graduates! It was a wonderful evening on Monday to celebrate our grads, and we wish you the best moving into the world in your careers! Go Bengals!

05/12/2025

Congratulations to all of our Idaho State University graduates! It was a big class of grads for health sciences. May you go out into the world and make a difference!

05/09/2025

So grateful for everyone that could attend the KDHS Awards Ceremony this afternoon. Such a honor to see these amazing people, Dr. Cathy Cashmore, Ms. Lorraine Backstrom, and Dr. William Woodhouse, given the recognition they've earned over their long dedicated careers.

05/02/2025

Meet “The Dean Machine,” 🤖✨ The College of Pharmacy’s telepresence robot helping bridge campuses and bring spontaneous, human interactions back to hybrid learning.

Dean Tom Wadsworth now gets to join hallway conversations, drop in on staff meetings, or even attend birthday parties and celebrations without being physically there.

“The robot has completely changed how I can show up for the Anchorage campus,” said Dean Wadsworth. “It’s allowed for more human, spontaneous interactions that just aren’t possible on Zoom. And honestly—it’s been a blast. There’s been a lot of laughter" (bit.ly/deanmachine2025).

Address

921 S 8th Ave, Mail Stop 8055
Pocatello, ID
83209

Website

http://isu.edu/healthsciences/

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Idaho’s Destination for Health Professions Education

Mission Statement

Idaho State University's Kasiska Division of Health Sciences provides leadership in the delivery of rural health care by educating caring and competent professionals across all dimensions of health and promoting interprofessional research and practice in the health sciences.

Vision

The Kasiska Division of Health Sciences is a destination site for health profession education.

Core Values

Professional Integrity - Promoting professional ethical standards and respecting the integrated roles of all health professionals. Holistic Approach to Health - Emphasizing a comprehensive view of human health, including curative and preventive dimensions. Collaboration - Recognizing the value of internal and external partnerships through professional and community engagement. Discovery and Innovation - Seeking new evidence to improve health. Dedication - Supporting the mission and vision of the KDHS. Excellence - Striving for excellence in all aspects of professional, academic and personal endeavors.

Kasiska Division of Health Sciences Leadership Team

Rex Force, PharmD, Senior Vice Provost and Vice President for Health Sciences Christopher Owens, PharmD, MPH, Associate Vice President for Health Sciences - Pocatello Patricia Marincic, Ph.D., R.D.N., Associate Vice President for Health Sciences - Meridian Walter Fitzgerald, Jr., BPharm, MS, JD, Dean, College of Pharmacy Karen Neill, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Director/Professor, School of Nursing Chris Sanford, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean, School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences Position Open, Dean, College of Health

Goal Areas

Goal 1 - To provide high quality programs that are efficient, cost effective, and student oriented. Goal 2 - To create an environment conducive to inquiry. Goal 3 - To facilitate interprofessional health services to the community. Goal 4 - To expand/improve the image and reach of the KDHS as a destination site for health professions education.