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PeaceHealth Southwest receives $1 million in federal funding to support emergency department expansion (Photo) - 03/26/24

Project is part of $242 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured by Sen. Patty Murray for multiple organizations across Washington state

Vancouver, Wash. – PeaceHealth Southwest is the recipient of a $1 million federal grant to support the facility’s Emergency Department expansion. 

The funding, made possible through the support of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, was approved by Congress Friday, March 23, as part of its Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package. In total, Congress allocated $242 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for Washington projects. As shared in a news release from Sen. Murray’s office, the funding package included allocations to protect and strengthen investments in “our kids’ education, people’s health, families’ pocketbooks, our national security, and so much more.”

In addition to $22 million from community support, this $1 million allocation for PeaceHealth Southwest will be used to help offset construction costs, furnishings, and equipment for the Community Health Hub, a unique initiative that will provide 24-hour non-medical care to Emergency Department patients experiencing behavioral health issues, addiction, homelessness, food insecurity, and domestic violence.

As part of the grant application submitted by PeaceHealth, community partners weighed in, supporting the need for onsite social services to meet the non-medical needs of patients – all under one roof.

“We thank Senator Murray for acknowledging the health care needs of our community,” said Tracey Fernandez, PeaceHealth Southwest interim chief executive. “As the busiest emergency department in a region that continues to grow, this expansion will allow us to continue providing quality emergency care in a state-of-the art facility while also bringing essential social services onsite. By treating the whole person – body and spirit – we are providing the right care, in the right way, at the right time.”

The PeaceHealth Southwest Emergency Department sees more than 75,000 patients a year and serves as the Level II Trauma Center for the region. As a part of its nonprofit Mission, PeaceHealth is called to provide comprehensive care for all, especially those who face barriers to health and wellness. 

“As Clark County’s largest employer, PeaceHealth is honored to serve as an anchor institution in collaboration with community-based organizations,” Fernandez said. “Our caregivers and providers work hard every day to uplift the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and our community as a whole.”

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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 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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Community Health Hub to open in July on second level of new Emergency Department - 03/22/24

Hub will provide direct access to vital social services 

Vancouver, Wash. – The PeaceHealth Southwest Emergency Department expansion is set to open in July and at the same time, the second level of the new construction will open, housing a new service, the Community Health Hub (CHH).

The Community Health Hub is a unique initiative that will provide 24-hour, non-medical care to PeaceHealth Emergency Department patients experiencing behavioral health issues, addiction, homelessness, food insecurity and domestic violence.

Nearly 7,000 patients visit the PeaceHealth Southwest Emergency Department five or more times a year without a medical need requiring a hospital stay, placing a heavy burden on a healthcare system. The Community Health Hub is designed to help directly address those non-medical needs.

The CHH, which will be staffed by community partners, will focus on collaborating with the Emergency Department in delivering the right care, at the right time in the right place. 

“By intersecting outstanding emergency care with essential social services under one roof, we are empowering healthcare providers and community partners to treat the whole person — body and spirit,” shares Brooke Malloy, a licensed social worker who will serve as the program manager of the CHH.

Malloy adds that the hospital expects the number of community partners to expand in the next several months and they are pleased with those who have currently committed, including SWACH, NW Cave, Lifeline Connections, Columbia River Mental Health, Share, Recovery Café, Meals on Wheels, Council for the Homeless, and the Clark County Food Bank.

“We look forward to opening the doors to the CHH later this summer, and launching this unique initiative that speaks directly to the PeaceHealth Mission,” says Liz Cattin, Community Health Director for PeaceHealth Columbia Network. “We believe the humanity, compassion and connection we will provide, in collaborating with our community partners, can greatly improve the lives of our most vulnerable.”

The CHH with have a separate designated, secure, entrance with entry through invitation-only. The space will be equipped with showers, laundry support, confidential rooms to meet with individuals, classrooms, flexible space for community partners to co-locate and collaborate, and a play area for children adjacent to windowed rooms for easy visibility to caregivers/parents.

The Community Health Hub is donor funded. If you are interested in contributing to the long-term sustainability of the HUB, please visit, peacehealth.org/foundation/southwest.

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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 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.

 

 

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center seeks new members for Patient & Family Advisory Council - 03/14/24

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.

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

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