The University of San Diego Opens the Doors to its New Palomar Health Student Wellness Center, Kicking Off a ‘Year of Wellness’ for Student

The University of San Diego (USD) and Palomar Health are excited to announce the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center on USD’s campus. 

The three-story, 80,000 square-foot facility, along with another 69,000 square feet of outdoor space, sets a new standard for inclusive wellness resources. The building also houses NCAA Division 1 basketball practice facilities for the university’s student-athletes.

From functional training areas to rejuvenation labs with nap pods, the wellness center covers multiple aspects to help students, faculty and staff focus on their personal well-being. Students can take their workouts outside on a large open turf or join fitness classes including dance, pickleball or yoga for college credit. There will also be other fitness classes like cycling, cardio dance or sound therapy, available for the entire campus community at a heavily discounted price.

For students who are looking to decompress, there is space to relax on an infrared PEMF mat, work on art in an art therapy zone or use one of the tele-health sound-proof booths to connect with a mental health counselor. In addition, there is a juice bar, a teaching kitchen and events will be planned throughout the year to celebrate wellness and  bring people together as a community. 

As one of only 16 universities to be on the Princeton Review’s 2025 Mental Health Services Honor Roll, the wellness center is a part of a larger mission by USD to make wellness accessible and provide students with a variety of wellness tools to help them create healthy habits for years to come. 

The university will continue the celebration of the wellness center's grand opening all year long by kicking off a ‘Year of Wellness.’ Student ambassadors will educate the campus community on all of the university’s wellness resources. In addition, community-wide event programming will provide new opportunities for the Torero community to learn about a variety of wellness tools.

The naming of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center is just one component of a transformative partnership between USD and Palomar Health. The partnership will provide placement opportunities for students, collaboration on future initiatives and services for students and opportunities for telehealth support in the future. 

“Palomar Health is honored to partner with the University of San Diego and introduce the new Palomar Health Student Wellness Center,” said Diane Hansen, president and CEO of Palomar Health. “The state-of-the-art wellness center will serve as a testament to the limitless potential of Palomar Health and USD’s community-centered health and wellness initiatives through our momentous partnership. Together, we are helping to reimagine what healthcare means for a new generation — one that is informed, proactive and encouraged to prioritize wellness.”

“Student wellness has always been a priority at USD. As a university, we believe it is our mission to optimize the intellectual potential of our students which includes not only a holistic education but providing students with the wellness tools they need to live inspired and meaningful lives. The Palomar Health Student Wellness Center is equipped with a variety of resources for students to develop healthy habits that will set them up for success during their time here at USD and beyond,” said James T. Harris III, president of the University of San Diego. 

For BROLL of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center at the University of San Diego, click here.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.