Island Primary Care–Orcas will open its doors on Monday, April 5

||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, theORCASONIAN REPORTER |||

As of April 5, Orcas Island will have a new practice operating in the medical facility on Deye Lane: Island Primary Care–Orcas, an Island Hospital (IH) clinic. And the practice will have a new phone number, 360- 293-3101, which can already be used for appointments and questions. (The possibility of a toll-free number is being pursued.)

Particulars of that practice were explored in two Zoom meetings last week, the Orcas Island Health Care District regular board meeting on March 16, and an Island Hospital Community Briefing on March 18. The Community Briefing was recorded and is available here or from the Orcas page on IH’s website, islandhospital/orcas.

Staffing was a major topic at both meetings. Dr. Frank James made his first appearances as medical director of the new practice and spoke at some length about his hopes for it. He observed that it represents “the first time a single-clinic model has been fully embraced” on the island, and that he believes it’s the best basis for sustainable, quality, island-appropriate health care. Noting that he had given up several research activities to accept the position, he continued, “I’m really excited about the opportunities and innovations taking place, and I look forward to working with all of you in making this work.” Dr. James will continue in the position of San Juan County Medical Officer.

In addition to Dr. James, clinic leadership will include Clinic Manager Aaimee Johnson, Clinical Supervisor Shila Wachtel, and IH’s Practice Administrator Patty Codd. Other on-island providers confirmed at this time are Physician Assistants Karen Caley-Orr and Jennifer Utter, both from Orcas Family Health Center. IH intends to hire two more full-time physicians and one or two more physician assistants/nurse practitioners; it hopes to have hiring and credentialing complete by late this year or early 2022.

Transitional providers during April and May will be IH primary care physicians Dr. Jason Hogge and Dr. Les Conway and Physician Assistant Susan Jordan. Over the first six months Dr. Michael Gravatt will be on island, focusing largely on same day/urgent care needs.

IH physicians who will spend several days on Orcas each month over the long term include primary care physician Dr. Jon Peterson, women’s health physician (and IH medical director) Dr. Kathy Garde, and pediatrician Dr. Brandon Greene. Future specialty care services will include psychiatry/behavioral health, gastroenterology, urology, and others as need becomes apparent.

The number of clinic staff members other than physicians will be considerably larger than it was at UW Medicine, an increase of 4.7 full-time-equivalents. IH plans to continue recruiting per-diem staff as well to fill in when needed. The increased support is expected to play a large role in enabling more-efficient and effective operations and in helping avoid staff burnout.

The new position of Patient Liaison will be filled by a familiar clinic face, Neisha Grams. She will work with IH’s Care Support Team to coordinate services for patients who need off-island care,, such as scheduling appointments around the ferry schedule and arranging for overnight stays if needed.

The transition week will be March 29–April 2. During this time telehealth services will be provided by UW Medicine (through March 30) and then IH. Orcas Family Health Center will see any patients who need in-person care. In the first weeks of the new practice, appointment schedules will be somewhat reduced as the staff continues to train in new procedures.

Patients in need of after-hours care will call the new clinic phone number, where the Care Support Team will first ascertain if referral to EMS is needed. If not, they will get a message to the on-call provider, who will call the patient back to determine if home care, a next-day clinic appointment, or an immediate visit to the clinic is the appropriate next step.

IH is now making appointments for COVID vaccines using a separate phone number, 360-376-7778. To make an appointment, call that number, select extension 5, and leave a message; the call will be returned as soon as possible.

The District’s next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 6, at 5 p.m. The Zoom link for the meeting will be posted a few days in advance on the District’s Meetings Calendar; click the link on April 6 to attend.