Island Hospital Board Votes for No Partnership

From Island Hospital

The Island Hospital board of commissioners voted to not select a partner for a strategic alliance at this time, at a joint board meeting on August 29. Island Hospital’s commissioners emphasized that they will continue to work with Skagit Regional Health (SRH) and Cascade Valley Hospital (CVH), as well as the potential affiliation partners on current and new programs that are beneficial for delivering healthcare.

The August 29 meeting was held at the Washington State University Extension facility in Mount Vernon and included the boards of all three hospitals as well as representatives from PeaceHealth.

“Orcas Medical Center fully respects and agrees with the decision of the Island Hospital board of commissioners, who went to great lengths to listen carefully not only to the communities in and around Anacortes, but also in the San Juans,” said Alison Shaw, Clinic Manager of Orcas Medical Center.

For nearly two years, the Island board has worked with CVH in Arlington and SRH, Mount Vernon, to seek a larger healthcare partner. In a joint board meeting in Mount Vernon on Thursday, CVH and SRH boards of commissioners voted to move forward with a letter of intent to negotiate with PeaceHealth, to include its proposed strategic collaboration with UW Medicine, while Island Hospital’s board voted not to affiliate with a larger health system at this time.

“Our board of commissioners has worked very hard to make the best decision for this community to retain and grow quality health-care services for our patients,” said Vince Oliver, Island Hospital CEO.

“The board has appreciated and listened intently to the comments and concerns raised during this public process. We all understand the issues raised and will continue to support Skagit Regional Health and Cascade Valley Hospital’s mission of coordinating care in the region,” Oliver added.

“We expect to maintain strong relationships with SRH, CVH, the three large health systems — PeaceHealth, Virginia Mason and Providence-Swedish — that submitted proposals, as well as the University of Washington. We recognize and appreciate that all organizations involved in these discussions, visits and presentations invested significant resources and time.”

Island’s board noted at the meeting that it will establish a community advisory committee to help them continue to seek partnerships and affiliations if they serve in the best interest of the community, enhance service quality and improve financial strength.

Orcas Medical Center’s Alison Shaw added, “Although it appears that a decision to affiliate is deferred until a later date, the decision yesterday demonstrates the board of commissioners’ commitment to the hospital, its clinics, and the community in providing the full range of services to its patients as provided under Washington State law.”