Guest Column: Health Care Stability Now Possible

— by Harriet Miller —

Many Thanks, to all those who voted for the PHD. Stabilized health care on Orcas, has long been my dream.

In 1967, when we began our life on island, we experienced the “visits” by Dr. Malcom Heath, from Friday Harbor, and the nursing care of Marge Burney. The Island joke was: you get sick on the day Dr. Heath is here.

Esther Sheehan, of Orcas Store fame, talked my husband Marvin Ballanger, into becoming the chair person of the Medical Assn. He served two terms, and then Lynn Roberts, took over. I was the secretary for several years, and Velma Doty, told me I signed their membership certificate in the early 70’s. When Dr. Heath said he was not going to be able to provide services for the Island, we began the process of finding a Dr. for the community. This was not an easy task, but we managed to provide a place for the Drs. who would come to practice.

Those of us who have lived on island for a while, will remember Dr. Loy, who was the first resident dentist. The Medical Assn. made a space for him in the building. We now have 3 who practice. We have been blessed to have good Drs. to serve the island, using the facilities supported by few members, and private donors. The financial difficulties always hung over the Drs., and their own feeling of security in our community.

We have long needed a way to provide medical care for all, residents and visitors, young and old, and the time has come. The PHD will become part of our lives, as is the Port, School, Park, Cemetery, Fire and Library. In my life it has taken 50+ YEARS to have this happen. Thanks for the future health care, of all of us.