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How Regional Partnerships Bolster Rural Hospitals
The Rural Collaborative was recently interviewed and mentioned in an article about how regional partnerships can help the efforts of rural hospitals. Specifically in regards
Summit Pacific Celebrates Opening of Kelsey Clinic Within Medical Center
The newly renovated six exam room clinic is home to specialty providers. (ELMA, WA) – Over 30 community members gathered at an intimate event to
Summit Pacific Launches New Website
Launching March 1, 2023 (ELMA, WA) – In an effort to continually improve patient experience and better inform the community, Summit Pacific is launching a
Members in the Media: Filling Behavioral Health Gaps in Rural Communities
Columbia County Health System (formerly Dayton General Hospital) was recently featured in an article from The Commonwealth Fund. Dayton General Hospital was able to fill
Representative Tharinger Visits Summit Pacific Following Legislative Sendoff
(ELMA, WA) –State Representative Steve Tharinger visited Summit Pacific on Friday Jan. 6, following Greater Grays Harbor’s Legislative Sendoff, to discuss the hospital’s upcoming expansion
Summit Pacific Hires Jennifer Burkhardt, JD as Chief Talent & Legal Officer
(ELMA, WA) – On Dec. 5 Summit Pacific welcomed Chief Talent and Legal Officer, Jennifer Burkhardt, JD to their executive team. Jennifer joins Summit Pacific
High School Student Raises Money to Donate iPads and Stands to Rural Health Systems Across the State
(Olympia, WA) – Raina Mathews, a 9th grade high school student at Annie Wright Schools, started her own GoFundMe account and raised enough money to
Kittitas Valley Health’s Rhonda Holden, MSN, RN Appointed to CMS’s Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee
Kittitas’ Rhonda Holden, MSN, RN has been appointed to CMS’s Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee. This nomination process began a year ago and
Summit Pacific Joins Healthcare Leaders
Statewide in Recommending Mask Wearing
(ELMA, WA) – Communities across our state and around the U.S. are experiencing an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
Summit Pacific Medical Foundation Supporting the Physical Health of Local Youth
(ELMA, WA) – Staying active is important year-round, but with temperatures dropping, it can become challenging to do the outdoor activities and sports we typically
Summit Pacific Hosting Free Community Education Event Tuesday, Dec. 13
(ELMA, WA) – Join us online for a free virtual Community Education Event Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 p.m. via Facebook live. Our special guest
Summit Pacific’s New Three-Year Community Health Needs Assessment Released
(ELMA, WA) – Summit Pacific Medical Center is in the process of drafting the new Grays Harbor County Public Hospital District #1 (CHNA). The CHNA
Members in the Media: Coulee Medical Center helps students learn about medical careers
Coulee Medical Center was recently featured in their local newspaper, The Star, for helping give Lake Roosevelt students the experience of what it might be
Summit Pacific’s Dr. Ken Dietrich, CMO Appointed to County Board of Health
(ELMA, WA) – Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ken Dietrich was one of four appointed to serve on the newly expanded Grays Harbor County Board of
Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics Helps Train Next Generation of Physicians
ILWACO, Wash. – Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics (OBHMC) welcomed, earlier this month, the first of twelve or more residents from the Providence Everett
Congratulations Island Health! Island Health Receives 5-Star Honors from CMS
Please join the Rural Collaborative in congratulating Island Health for earning 5-Star Honors from CMS! Read their press release, below! ANACORTES, Washington — Island
Congratulations Mason Health, 2022 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award Winner!
Please join the Rural Collaborative in congratulating Mason Health for earning the 2022 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award! This award recognizes Mason’s ongoing commitment
Congratulations and Farewell: Larry Cohen announces plans to retire
Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics’ CEO Announces Plans for Retirement Cohen looks to ‘hand over the reins’ at the end of July. A
Members in the Media: Mason Health invests in future healthcare workers
Mason Health was recently featured in South Sound Magazine; they will fund the continuing education for three graduating seniors this fall in a historic partnership
Summit Pacific Partners with Private Ambulance Service for Interfacility Patient Transport
(ELMA, WA) – Most patients who seek care at Summit Pacific’s Emergency Department are treated and released after receiving the care they need. However, sometimes
RFP Opportunity: Pharmacy Assessment
The Rural Collaborative(TRC) is seeking written proposals to identify a business partner to provide an assessment of pharmacy optimization opportunities to member rural health systems.
Members in the Media: Seattle Times features Summit Pacific Medical Center Clinic
Michael Barajas took his first vacation this year, at the age of 33. For most of his life, the Aberdeen native had no interest in
Press Release: Rigid Hospital Staffing Standards Threatens Access to Timely Care Across Olympic Peninsula
From our partners at Summit Pacific Medical Center: OLYMPIA — Rigid hospital staffing legislation currently under consideration by the Washington State Senate will make permanent
Turning 65 in Mason County? Mason Health Wants You to Stay Healthy!
SHELTON, WA – Turning or already 65? Mason Health has you covered! Let our team of caring professionals help you wade through your new Medicare
Members in the Media: Ferry County doctor leads northeast Washington through the pandemic
Ferry County Memorial Health doctor Sam Artzis was featured in the Spokesman Review for leading northeast Washington through the pandemic against a wall of misinformation.
Members in the Media: Quality improvements in stroke treatment highlighted on CDC website
Between 2018 and 2020, members of the Washington Rural Health Collaborative participated in a Coverdell-sponsored quality improvement project aimed to achieve at least the 75th
Klickitat Valley Health Designs a Drive-Thru Vaccine Clinic at the Klickitat County Fair Grounds
Thinking outside the box, KVH designed a drive-through clinic capable of vaccinating 350 patients a day at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. Ensuring maximum safety and
Summit Pacific Hosts First Inaugural Tour de Wellness Cycle Event
Ride the Harbor for Health Cycle Event – Saturday, June 12th Click here to view this video on YouTube.
Members in the Media: Kittitas County is Featured on CNN
On Monday, January 25, 2021, Kittitas Valley Hospital was featured in an article on CNN. The article begins, “A rural county in Washington state is
Healthcare Innovation: Physicians, Hospitals in Washington State Pursue Value During a Time of Pandemic
On Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, Healthcare Innovation sponsored its Pacific Northwest Virtual Healthcare Innovation Summit. On the morning of October 29, Healthcare Innovation Editor-in-Chief Mark Hagland moderated a panel
Summit Pacific Receives Washington State Hospital Association’s Rural Quality Everyday Extraordinary Award for Opioid Crisis Intervention
(ELMA, WA) – The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) announced that Summit Pacific’s “Rural Opioid Crisis Intervention Quality Improvement” has been awarded WSHA’s 2020 Rural
Members in the Media: Forks Hospital is Featured on Amateur Radio
On Friday, October 2, 2020, Forks Community Hospital was featured on Amateur Radio Newsline Report regarding their efforts to expand radio frequency (RF) coverage in
LifeNet Health Recognizes Mason General Hospital For Support of Tissue Donation
On Aug. 10, 2020, LifeNet Health recognized Mason General Hospital for its outstanding support for the gift of tissue donation. Mason General Hospital received the Washington Critical Access Hospital of the Year Award, which is given to hospital partners for outstanding collaboration and commitment to achieve and sustain high standards in support of the donation process through education, leadership, outreach and activities.
Listen to Josh Martin’s Interview on Rural Health Leadership Radio
June 9, 2020 Summit Pacific Medical Center’s CEO and Collaborative Board’s Vice Chair Vice Chair, Josh Martin, is interviewed on Rural Health Leadership Radio. “We
Updated COVID-19 Information from the Washington State Hospital Association
While coronavirus (COVID-19) is new, preparing for responses to disasters is not. Hospitals and health systems conduct emergency preparedness training year-round, in each region and
COVD-19 national emergency declaration provides flexibility rural health system needs as patient care demands increase
This post contains important information from our partners at the Washington State Hospital Association. For more information, please contact Beth Zborowski at bethz@wsha.org. President Trump’s
Willapa Harbor Hospital Hires new CEO – Matthew Kempton
The Willapa Harbor Hospital Board of Commissioners are excited to announce Matthew Kempton, MHA, has agreed to become our next permanent CEO. Matt has a
Summit Pacific Employees Award $6,000 in Scholarships to Local Graduates
(ELMA, WA) –Thanks to the generous nature of several Summit Pacific Medical Center employees, six local area high school seniors have been awarded a combined
Forks Community Hospital gains Certification in Infection Prevention
Forks Community Hospital has received its Certification in Infection Prevention from DNV GL Healthcare. The certification recognizes completion of a risk assessment program. To complete
Summit Pacific Receives USDA Rural Development Award of Excellence
(ELMA, WA) – Summit Pacific was recently awarded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Award of Excellence. Summit Pacific was awarded for
Summit Pacific Receives Tissue Donation Standards of Excellence Award
(ELMA, WA) – At the Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, April 25, Heidi Schaiberger, a representative from LifeNet Health presented Summit Pacific with a
Article: Stronger Together
Source: The Physician Report. Spring 2019 Anyone traveling outside Washington State’s major population centers knows that the region is as geographically diverse as they come.
Jefferson Healthcare Whittington Nominated for PSBJ 40 under 40
Port Townsend, WA – Jefferson Healthcare is proud to announce Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer Hilary Whittington, CPA, MBA has been recognized by
Intalere Best Practices Compendium: Financial and Operational Improvement
The Washington Rural Health Collaborative is proud to again be recognized by Intalare for our ongoing commitment to excellence. Below the text related to the
Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics Welcomes New OB/GYN – Carey Martens, D.O.
SHELTON, Wash. – Mountain View Women’s Health and Mason General Hospital are pleased to welcome board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist Carey Martens, D.O., who joined their medical and surgical staff
CT Earns National Accreditation for Quality, Patient Safety
Prosser Memorial Hospital – a part of Prosser Memorial Health – has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) from the American College of Radiology
New rehab center at PeaceHealth Southwest will include car for mobility practice
On March 28, a Kia Soul was placed on the third-floor patio of the Benjamin H. McGough, MD, Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Unit at PeaceHealth Southwest
Summit Pacific Medical Center Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer
Summit Pacific Medical Center (SPMC) will have a new chief financial officer overseeing their financial strategies effective May 1. James Hansen, CPA, MBA will be
Summit Pacific Wins Intalere Healthcare Achievement Award
Recognized for outstanding operational improvements to ensure best-in-class healthcare delivery (ELMA, WA) – Summit Pacific has been recognized by Intalere, the healthcare industry leader in
