LEBANON — More than 25 employees from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., are in Linn County this week learning about the culture of the area that will become home to a new osteopathic medical school in August 2011.

WUHS Dean Clinton Adams said staff members will spend today through Thursday in the mid-valley, meeting with staff from Samaritan Health Services as well as Lebanon community leaders.

“The Lebanon site is unique in terms of geography, weather and culture compared to southern California,” Adams said. “The staff that’s here are mostly mid- and senior-level people who will provide support to the new school. We want them to understand the area and the task at hand.”

Dr. Paula Crone, who will be the executive associate dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Lebanon, said the theme for what is being called “Destination Lebanon” is simply, “Welcome to Oregon, we’re not California.”

Crone grew up in Hermiston, graduated from the University of Portland in 1986 and Western University of Health Sciences in 1992. She has practiced in Portland ever since and is excited about the opportunity to return to a smaller community.

“Lebanon’s community spirit overwhelmed me,” Crone said. “The new justice center and public library. The heart of a community shows up. Why Lebanon? Because it has heart and spirit.”

Events and topics include a visit to Oregon State University; meeting with Becky Pape, CEO of Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital; talking about the new college’s purpose and outcome goals; budgeting for the new campus; touring Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital; reviewing information technology sharing; and visiting with community leaders.

A reception for the visitors and community members will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Mallard Creek Golf Course.

A pre-bidding conference for prospective construction subcontractors is being held today at the hospital. Construction of the 54,000-square-foot building is expected to start in January. The first class of 100 students will start in August 2011, according to dean Adams.

Instructors will come from the Pomona campus as well as be recruited nationwide, Adams said. In addition to classroom and lecture halls, about one-sixth of the building is designed for research projects, Adams said.

Crone admits that a major challenge facing her is recruiting students to a school that doesn’t yet have a single building.

“We’re going to be traveling to many colleges and universities throughout the northwest,” Crone said. “We’re going to make this personal. We want to attract the best and the brightest. I want this medical school to be considered one of the best in the country. There’s no reason it can’t happen in Lebanon.”