Dear Community Members,

As we close out 2023 and look forward to 2024, we, the Board of Commissioners, would like to take a moment to reflect on the operations of our hospital and to express our deep appreciation for the community’s support of Lake Chelan Health and its staff. We would like to share with you a summary of our achievements, our future outlook, and our commitment to serving our community.

  • Last December marked the one-year anniversary of the new Hospital at Apple Blossom Center. It has been a fantastic addition to our community and our ability to provide quality healthcare. We were recently awarded another $11 million from the State of Washington to continue our expansion and have a permanent home for our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team. This additional development will go a long way to our goal of having all services housed in one location. We were also excited to receive the delivery of one of the three new ambulances, in accordance with the approved levy, and to acquire a Transit Van.
  • Throughout the year, our dedicated healthcare professionals continued to provide exceptional care to all our patients. We are proud to report that our hospital achieved high patient satisfaction scores. As we continually strive for improvement, we have asked our departments to compare themselves against industry standards. We are happy to report that our net promoter score (which ranges from -100 to +100) continues to improve and ranges in the mid 70’s, demonstrating our commitment and ability to deliver quality healthcare services to our community.

  • Once again, we are delighted to announce the significant national and international certifications that underscore our commitment to excellence. This past December, our hospital successfully achieved DNV recertification,
    reaffirming our dedication to the high standards of patient care, safety, and quality. Additionally, we obtained the ISO 9001 certification, highlighting our commitment to robust quality management systems and processes.
  • Recognizing the dedication and hard work of our staff, we have taken steps to bring our employees’ compensation to market rates. We believe that fair and competitive compensation is essential in attracting and retaining the best healthcare professionals, ensuring the continued high-quality care our community expects.
  • We are pleased to report that our hospital finances continue to improve year over year. Consistent improvement in processes and available services has allowed us to increase revenues. Building reserves will allow us to reinvest in our facilities, technology, and staff, ensuring our ability to provide top-notch healthcare services for the years to come.
  • While we have achieved significant milestones, we acknowledge the challenges ahead. Our commitment to address healthcare disparities, improve accessibility, and ensure the well-being of our staff and patients remains unwavering. We are actively planning for the future, including potential expansion of new services, the implementation of technology upgrades and the buildout of the EMS facility. These improvements will allow us to enhance the patient experience, streamline operations and continue to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for entrusting us with your healthcare needs. Your support, feedback, and collaboration are invaluable to us as we strive to improve and grow. Together, we are a resilient and compassionate community.

The Board of Commissioners would like to express our pride and gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our district staff, the support of our community, and the shared commitment to health and well-being. As we look forward to the coming year, we remain committed to serving you with excellence and compassion.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Sincerely,

Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners,

Jordana LaPorte, Chair

Lori Withrow, Vice Chair

Mary Murphy, Secretary

Doug Gibson, Member

Len England, Member

In 2024, the New Year’s baby, Mateo Eduardo Roa, made a prompt entrance on Wednesday, January 3rd, at Lake Chelan Health Hospital (LCHH). Born in one of the four Labor and Delivery Suites, Mateo, adorned in a custom blanket and hat with his name, joined the Roa and Gomez family at 2:41 pm, measuring 21 inches and weighing 8 pounds 3 oz.

Edith Gomez and Eduardo Roa, parents to three children, eagerly anticipated Mateo’s arrival at the new hospital, particularly noteworthy as their two other children were born in the former Lake Chelan Hospital. Mateo’s siblings were excited to meet their new brother and curious about “how the baby was born,” remarked Edith.

Although residing in Omak, Washington, the couple maintained their connection with their Chelan-based doctor and chose the new hospital for Mateo’s birth. Notably, Lake Chelan Health Hospital witnesses the arrival of almost 100 newborns each year.

The family received warm congratulations and were presented with the New Year’s Baby Basket by Lisa Marshall, a dedicated Registered Nurse with seven years of service at LCH, and OB Manager Julianna England. The New Year Baby Basket was generously donated by Hospital Guild B.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions to Lake Chelan Hospital. Your support over the last 50 years has been instrumental in our mission to provide quality healthcare to our community.

While we have transitioned to the new facility, we want you to know that your past contributions remain an integral part of our history.  Some items from the old hospital may no longer be suitable in our new facility, and so we are diligently working on a plan to ensure we can memorialize their positive impact on our patients and staff.

We will be in touch with donors or their families once we have determined the best path forward.  Again, thank you for your unwavering support.  Rest assured we are committed to finding the best way to commemorate and honor your generosity.

We thank you for your continued support.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lcch.net with any questions you may have.

Chelan, WA, June 7, 2023– Lake Chelan Health Commissioner Mary Signorelli has announced her resignation from her position effective June 2, 2023.  The Commissioners and Lake Chelan Health are deeply appreciative of her longtime support and dedication for the hospital and serving 11.5 years as a hospital commissioner.

Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners is accepting letters of interest from candidates interested in serving on the Board.  The selected candidate will fill the board seat vacated by Mary Signorelli for the remainder of its term that expires at the end of 2023.

Letters of interest should include candidate’s credentials and experience, as well as reasons why they want to serve as a Lake Chelan Health board member. Serving on the Board will require the candidate to attend meetings, review and study material and serve as an advocate for projects supporting Lake Chelan Health. Commissioners are offered medical, dental and vision insurance for self and eligible dependents; must pay premiums for dependents. Entitled to compensation as set and adjusted by statute. See RCW 70.44.050 for more information.

Interested candidates should submit letters to P.O. Box 908, Chelan, WA 98816. Attention: Executive Assistant, or email admin@lcch.net, or drop off at 110 S. Apple Blossom Drive, Chelan WA 98816.   Interested persons are encouraged to submit letters of interest by Friday June 30, 2023.

Founded in 1948, Lake Chelan Health Hospital is a DNV-Accredited Critical Access Hospital with supporting Express Care, Specialty Care and Primary Care clinics in Chelan, Washington.  The health system provides a 24-hour emergency room, surgical center, inpatient and skilled recovery care, labor and delivery services, pain management, orthopedics, wound and lymphedema care as well as physical, occupational and pelvic health rehabilitative therapy.

Chelan, WA, May 16, 2023– Lake Chelan Health (LCH) Board of Commissioners and hospital Administration staff will be attending the Chelan City Council Special Meeting on May 18, 2023, at 2PM to discuss Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Area (TIA).  Community members are encouraged to attend in person or via Zoom using Meeting ID: 818 1549 2192 and Passcode: 571047.  The Council Chambers is located at 135 E. Johnson Avenue in downtown Chelan. LCH Board members and Administration will also be attending the City Council Airport Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, and City Council Special Meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Meeting Agendas and login information are made available on the City of Chelan’s website www.cityofchelan.us

On Monday April 3, 2023, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will remove the Secretary of Health Mask Order that requires masking in healthcare, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities for people age 5 and older.  While there is the removal of the Secretary of Health Mask Order, it is still possible to contract and transmit COVID-19, FLU, RSV, TB and other infectious diseases that pose a risk to infecting others. For this reason, it is recommended (not required) that staff, outpatients, and visitors should still utilize a well-fitting mask.
Masking at LCH Hospital, Primary, Express Care and Specialty Care clinics will still be required for certain situations and recommended when:
• There has been close contact or a higher-risk exposure (healthcare providers) with someone with COVID-19 for a total of 10 days after their exposure
• During COVID-19 outbreaks
• Have been directed to utilize source control by public health authorities
• Are experiencing respiratory symptoms (e.g., runny nose associated with seasonal allergies)
• Visitors will not be permitted if they have been positive for COVID-19 within previous 10-days, are having COVID-19 Symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and are unable to be tested or wear a mask.
Required masking for patients, employees, and visitors will be implemented when Chelan County COVID-19 transmission rates are high and/or when employee COVID-19 illness prevalence rates exceed hospital-defined thresholds.
Lake Chelan Health (LCH) staff, patients and visitors are encouraged to voluntarily wear a mask or a higher-level of respiratory protection (e.g., N95) in clinical settings as a measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, respiratory illnesses, and other communicable diseases to highly vulnerable individuals who are susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19. People experiencing cold or flu symptoms (even if COVID negative) should stay home. For emergencies dial 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency room.
The health and safety of our staff, patients and visitors is our priority and we appreciate your patience and understanding when visiting Lake Chelan Health.

Chelan, WA, March 31, 2023– Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners appointed Doug Gibson to fill the vacant seat of Commissioner #5 at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board held on March 24, 2023.

Doug is a graduate of the University of Washington with an M.S. degree in Pharmacy. He began employment as a hospital pharmacist specializing in oncology services at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle, WA.  Doug was Director of Pharmacy and later Vice-President of Professional Services at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, WA. Doug left hospital management after 14 years and moved to outpatient services managing radiology practices and joint ventures between radiologists and hospitals for more than 20 years. He brings over 40 years of experience working closely with providers, patients and communities to improve healthcare services. Upon retirement in 2020, Doug and his wife moved to Chelan.  Upon seeing the Board Commissioner opening, Doug realized this was an obvious and natural opportunity to support the community using his experience and expertise. Doug brings a broad healthcare perspective and enthusiasm to support the future of Lake Chelan Health and move healthcare forward in the Lake Chelan Valley.

The position for Commissioner #5 will be up during filing week in May for a 6-year unexpired term.

Founded in 1948, Lake Chelan Health Hospital is a DNV-Accredited Critical Access Hospital with supporting Express Care, Specialty Care and Primary Care clinics in Chelan, Washington.  The health system provides a 24-hour emergency room, surgical center, inpatient and skilled recovery care, labor and delivery services, pain management, wound and lymphedema care as well as physical, occupational and pelvic health rehabilitative therapy.

Press Release: Chelan, WA, January 25, 2023– Lake Chelan Health Commissioner Jeremy Jaech has announced  his resignation from his position effective April 1, 2023.  The Commissioners and Lake Chelan Health are deeply appreciative of his years of service,  dedication, and leadership.

Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners is accepting letters of interest from candidates that have a passion and interest for community involvement, leadership and a desire to grow and advance healthcare offerings in the Lake Chelan Valley. The selected candidate will fill the board seat vacated by Jeremy Jaech.

Chelan County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners directly oversees hospital policy and governance and will appoint the new commissioner to fulfill the remainder of the term ending on December 31, 2023. The appointed member will serve until the next election. Persons wishing to be elected to serve after the term ends would need to file for the general election in May. The candidate must be a resident and registered voter in the hospital district.

Letters of interest should include candidate’s credentials and experience, as well as reasons why they want to serve as a Lake Chelan Health board member.  Serving on the Board will require the candidate to attend meetings, review and study material and serve as an advocate for projects supporting Lake Chelan Health. Commissioners are offered medical, dental and vision insurance for self and eligible dependents; must pay premiums for dependents. Entitled to compensation as set and adjusted by statute. See RCW 70.44.050 for more information.

Interested candidates should submit letters to P.O. Box 908, Chelan, WA 98816. Attention: Executive Assistant, or email admin@lcch.net, or drop off at 110 S. Apple Blossom Drive, Chelan WA 98816.   Interested persons are encouraged to submit letters of interest by February 17, 2023.  To learn more visit https://lakechelanhealth.org/about-us/board-of-commissioners/

Founded in 1948, Lake Chelan Health hospital is a fully-accredited Critical Access Hospital with supporting Express Care, Primary Care and Specialty Care clinics in Chelan, Washington.  The health system provides a 24-hour emergency room, outpatient and inpatient services, including physical therapy.

Welcome to the world Victor Espinoza Cruz! Victor was born at 1:05pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022, and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces. At 20.75 inches, he is the first baby to be born at the new Lake Chelan Health Hospital (LCH) facility, which opened on December 5, 2022. Parents Esther G. Cruz Padilla and Mario Espinoza Lopez were shocked and overjoyed when they were told that their baby was the firstborn at the new LCH facility. Excitement was equally shared by CVCH Dr. Jennifer Snyder and resident Dr. Matt Acosta, who delivered baby Victor in one of the four Labor and Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) rooms. The new LDRP rooms are not only spaciously designed to comfortably accommodate patients and staff during the birth process, but they allow mother and baby to stay together in the same room throughout their stay. They no longer must be transferred to another room as was the case in the old hospital. “We received great care and attention from everybody. We are happy that our baby is the first born here in this nice hospital.” said Esther and Mario. Staff presented a baby basket donated by ADAMS Management Services Corporation. ADAMS specializes in transition and occupancy planning and were an integral part of moving Lake Chelan Health from its old Highland Campus to the new 110 South Apple Blossom Drive hospital campus and helping minimize interference with daily operations. Congratulations to the new parents!