— from Dale Heisinger —
UPDATE: In my rush to get out a thank you from COHC, I inadvertently gave the results of the San Juan Island School Levy instead of the results of the vote for PHD #3, Orcas Island. The total votes cast for the PHD was 1886 with a 76.9% yes vote. Congratulations to everyone………we still won. –Dale Heisinger
Over a year ago, conversations with a few Orcas Islanders generated the formation of a coalition for the purpose of campaigning for a Public Hospital District and the desire to have sustainable and predictable healthcare services for immediate and future healthcare needs. Those efforts were rewarded last Tuesday when 1778 voters (~72%) voted yes to form Public Hospital District #3 and elect its first five commissioners.
It was always the desire of the Coalition to provide reliable and factual information in a transparent way utilizing as many different vehicles to reach as many islanders as possible.
Many have thanked us for our efforts; however, the real thanks should go to those of you who supported our efforts and voted for the PHD. The questions asked of us at our various venues, on our website, and in private conversations, clearly indicated a desire by you for accurate information and being informed as you determined how you would vote.
So, on behalf of the Coalition for Orcas Healthcare, we want to thank you for your participation in this process, for your desire to be informed, and for your vote. In addition, I want to thank all those who stepped forward as candidates as well as the many other organizations that assisted us in this campaign. We clearly have a more secure healthcare future thanks to you.
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.
Harriet, I love your perspective on the current situation! History is such a good measure of where we’ve been, and how far we’ve come. We don’t live in the “now”, but benefit from those who have acted outside the box, pushed the envelope, dared to dream, as well as being foresighted, innovative, and just plain smart. I had my first child here (actually, she was born on San Juan Is,,having travelled by small open boat in the night across foggy, deadhead infested waters to get to the clinic…home the next day). Dr. heath delivered Christine in the wee hours of the morning on November 13, 1963. Being young and adventuresome, I didn’t think it to be out of the ordinary, but on looking back, it really WAS an adventure.
Thank you for this valuable history, Harriet. It is much appreciated, both your story and your efforts over the years. For relative newcomers like me, Harriet et al. is what Orcas is all about.