PeaceHealth Southwest Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer (Photo) -05/13/25

Vancouver, Wash. – PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has named Michael Skehan as Chief Operating Officer (COO). He assumes his new role on May 19, 2025.

Known for his highly collaborative and interactive leadership style, Skehan has successfully led numerous projects to increase revenue, reduce operating expenses, drive growth and improve quality and safety during his 20+ years in healthcare.

In his new role, Michael will serve as a member of the hospital’s senior executive team and will focus on clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, operational efficiencies, and leading a LEAN culture.

For the past two years, Michael has served as the Chief Operations Officer/Deputy Director for Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare in Warrenton, Oregon. There, he provided strategic and operational oversight for all clinical operations and business/administrative services.

Prior to that, Michael spent eight years in various leadership roles with a system that is now part of Intermountain Health, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer for Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, a 410-bed hospital. Michael had direct responsibility for all surgical and procedural services, cancer service line, cardiovascular service line, respiratory services, all ancillary and support services, and a 12-provider surgical practice.

“Michael brings a wealth of healthcare experience and has driven impactful improvements around patient satisfaction, quality and safety, growth and operational effectiveness” shares Cherelle Montanye, Chief Hospital Executive for PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. “I am confident he will align well with our mission of providing quality care to our community.

Skehan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College and  Master of Public Administration from University of San Francisco.

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About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Nationally Recognized With An ‘A’ For The Spring 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade (Photo) -05/01/25

VANCOUVER, Wash. –PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a distinction recognizing PeaceHealth Southwest’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 22 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, and systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“This is our tenth consecutive safety grade of ‘A’, shares PeaceHealth Southwest Chief Hospital Executive, Cherelle Montanye. “I am proud of our caregivers continued commitment of safely caring for our community and living our Mission every single day.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

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About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

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PeaceHealth, Lifepoint Rehabilitation Receive State Approval For Construction Of New Rehabilitation Hospital In Vancouver -04/17/25

Vancouver, Wash. – PeaceHealth and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, a business unit of Lifepoint Health, are excited to announce that they have received state regulatory approval of the Certificate of Need to construct a 67,000-square foot inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Vancouver.

The stand-alone building, which will feature 50 inpatient beds, will be located at 3400 Main Street, Vancouver, the site occupied by the now closed PeaceHealth Memorial Urgent Care. Demolition of the building at the site is expected this fall, with projected completion of the new facility mid-year 2027.

Upon completion of the new hospital, PeaceHealth Southwest will shift its 14 existing beds to the new stand-alone facility. This expansion will allow PeaceHealth and Lifepoint Rehabilitation to increase access to inpatient rehabilitation services in the region, addressing a significant community need.

“We are excited about moving this partnership forward,” says Cherelle Montanye, PeaceHealth Southwest Chief Hospital Executive. “Both PeaceHealth and Lifepoint Rehabilitation share a strong commitment of delivering high-quality care, and the construction of this hospital helps ensure we are meeting the needs of our community without them having to travel out of the area for care.”

This is the second joint venture partnership between PeaceHealth and Lifepoint Rehabilitation. Currently, construction is underway on a 42-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Springfield, Oregon, set to open next year.

“Receiving regulatory approval for this project is further confirmation of the community need for increased access to specialized rehabilitation care,” said David Stark, chief operating officer, Lifepoint Rehabilitation. “This facility will enable us to care for more medically complex rehabilitation patients and serve patients in a facility wholly dedicated to their recovery, and we look forward to breaking ground on this transformative new chapter.”

The hospital, which will be majority owned by PeaceHealth through a joint venture with Lifepoint Rehabilitation, will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational and speech pathology services for adults recovering from conditions such as stroke, neurological disease, brain or spinal cord injury, and other debilitating illnesses or injuries. Lifepoint Rehabilitation will manage day-to-day operations of the facility.

Upon completion, this new PeaceHealth facility will join Lifepoint Rehabilitation’s growing network of more than 45 inpatient rehabilitation facilities across the country.    

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 About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a medical group practice with more than 1,100 providers and nine medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

About Lifepoint Rehabilitation: With more than 45 freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), Lifepoint Rehabilitation is a partner of choice for many major hospital systems in the creation of joint venture operations that are industry-leading in clinical and financial outcomes. Through its IRFs and more than 250 hospital-based rehabilitation units, medical/surgical and outpatient therapy settings, Lifepoint Rehabilitation brings proven rehabilitation management and services expertise to help our patients recover and return home quickly from a number of conditions, including strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, amputations and trauma. Lifepoint Rehabilitation is a business unit of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.

PeaceHealth Hospice Seeks Volunteers For No One Dies Alone And Other End-of-Life Support -04/15/25

LONGVIEW, Wash. –  PeaceHealth’s Hospice program is hosting training sessions this spring for volunteers interested in helping Cowlitz County patients during their end-of-life journey.

Volunteer opportunities include caregiver respite in private homes, providing socialization to patients in facilities, video interviews for the heritage project, Veteran Honoring Ceremonies, No One Dies Alone (NODA) and meal prep at the Richard Nau Hospice House.

One of the programs most in need of volunteer support is NODA, which offers comfort and companionship to those who don’t have family or friends to be at their side in their final days or hours of life.

“It’s a sad truth that not everyone is surrounded by loved ones at the end of their life,” says Jennifer Linde, PeaceHealth Hospice Volunteer Program Supervisor. “For our patients who are truly alone, we offer companionship and advocacy so they may have a peaceful and dignified passing.”

PeaceHealth welcomes anyone who wishes to be a part of the sacred work of providing care and comfort to hospice patients. No medical experience necessary.

The next training is May 7 and May 21 from 1 – 4:30 p.m. Volunteer training consists of two half-day, in-person sessions as well as online training that covers information required by Medicare.

Additional training for the NODA program is required. The next NODA training is on June 17 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center.

For questions or to register for the upcoming training session, contact Jennifer Linde, Volunteer Program Supervisor, at 360-636-8908 or email RSSW-HospiceVolunteerServices@peacehealth.org.

To learn more about PeaceHealth’s hospice services, visit peacehealth.org/services/hospice-care.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

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PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Seeks New Members For Patient & Family Advisory Council -04/14/25

Opportunity for community members who have been a patient at PeaceHealth or have a family member who has been a patient

VANCOUVER, Washington –PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is seeking new members for its Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) to participate in monthly sessions and provide feedback around patient experiences and ensure the patient voice is heard.

The Council is an excellent opportunity for community members to get involved in decision-making at PeaceHealth. The goal of PFAC is to make care more accessible and understandable for patients and their families. Members collaborate during monthly meetings and give valuable input into countless projects, including patient education and marketing materials, phone system improvements, and enhanced scheduling processes.

“If you’ve been a patient or had a family member who was a patient, I encourage you to apply,” says Zoie Newman, Human Experience Consultant. “Input we receive from patients and family members is invaluable and helps drive important decisions about our delivery of care.”

Volunteer requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older.
• You need to have been a patient at PeaceHealth or have a family member who has been a patient.
• You must be able to commit to in-person monthly meetings that are one hour in duration, with additional commitments on occasion.
• You will be required to fill out an application and participate in an interview.
• You must complete a background and health screening.
• You will need to be compliant with PeaceHealth required vaccinations.

To apply to PFAC, please reach out to Zoie Newman, PeaceHealth Human Experience Consultant, at znewman@peacehealth.org. Learn more about the Council here.

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About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, more than 3,000 providers, more than 160 clinics and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

PeaceHealth St. John Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer (Photo) -04/14/25

Longview, Wash. – PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center has named Elva Sipin as Chief Operating Officer (COO). She begins her new role on April 28.

Elva Sipin, a respiratory therapist who started as a CNA, brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience that spans various leadership and clinical roles. She joins PeaceHealth St. John after serving as interim COO at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver for the past nine months.

In her new role, Elva will serve as a member of the hospital’s senior executive team and will assume direct oversight of perioperative, cardiovascular and diagnostic imaging services. Additionally, Additionally, she will support overall campus operations partnering with facilities, lab, pharmacy, security, emergency preparedness and biomed.

Elva Sipin is not new to PeaceHealth. While serving in her interim COO role at PeaceHealth Southwest, she also maintained her system role with PeaceHealth of System Vice President for Clinical Services and Operations that she has held since 2023. Prior to that role, Elva spent four years as Vice President of Operations for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend in Springfield, Oregon.

“We are pleased to welcome Elva to our PeaceHealth team at St. John,” says Kendall Sawa, Chief Hospital Executive. “She is a goal-oriented, servant leader who focuses on the growth and well-being of others. I know she will fit well with our PeaceHealth team as she brings a wealth of experience and a demonstrated commitment to the PeaceHealth Mission of providing compassionate care to everyone we serve.”

Elva holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management with an emphasis in healthcare from University of Redlands in Redland, California.

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About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.