Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) has made a major step in its mission to become the nation's first Integrative, Whole Health University by announcing an agreement with Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS). Pending regulatory approval, PCHS’ San Diego and Chicago campuses—including all students, faculty, staff, and academic programs—will officially join SCU in May 2026. PCHS, founded in 1986 as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, is the largest acupuncture and herbal medicine school in the U.S., also offering curricula in holistic nursing and massage therapy. According to Dr. John Scaringe, President and CEO of SCU, this agreement not only creates a "national hub for TCM education, innovation, and advocacy" but also significantly expands SCU’s influence on whole-person care and healthcare transformation. As part of the merger, SCU will also acquire the Pacific Center for Lifelong Learning, the PCHS cosmetic acupuncture program, and the annual Pacific Symposium conference. This move signifies a cohesive strategy among health education institutions to meet the growing demand for comprehensive, integrative healthcare practitioners. PCHS will retain its New York campus, as it is excluded from this agreement.