DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING COMPASS EARLY SPRING 2025 A new knee One patient’s surgery story Orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Sherman, DO, begins surgery on a patient, with Kristi Daniels, PA-C, assisting.
Surgical services continue to grow at CMH Oregon hospitals key to economy Oregon’s community hospitals, like CMH, do more than provide lifesaving health care services — they play an important role in our local and state economy. Hospitals hire local workers with a range of skills and salaries and buy a wide variety of goods and services, many of which come from Oregon-based businesses. A study commissioned by the Hospital Association of Oregon found that hospitals contribute more than $400 million to the Clatsop County economy and support 2,180 jobs, including directly employing more than 1,200 community members. Statewide, Oregon’s community hospitals contribute $32.4 billion to the economy and employ 70,000 workers. If you are looking for a meaningful career, Oregon hospitals could be a great place for you to grow. Source: Hospital Association of Oregon Interested in a career in health care? Check out the CMH careers page (columbiamemorial.org/apply) or learn about training opportunities offered through Clatsop Community College’s Nursing & Allied Health program (clatsopcc.edu/areas/nursing-health). By Nicole Williams, COO In the past two decades, Columbia Memorial Hospital has worked to bring top-quality care to the area as we’ve expanded our surgical services. Safety and the patient experience are top priorities as we carry out procedures for our patients. Our surgeons have an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and are required to be board-certified. Many have also completed fellowship training in addition to their residencies and internships. In surgical services at CMH, every day — especially the busy days — includes a carefully coordinated dance of operating room schedules, procedures, providers, nurses, rehab therapists, and surgical and sterile processing techs, along with many other caregivers and processes. Currently, CMH offers surgical procedures in many specialty areas, including: ● Gynecology ● Urology ● Foot and ankle ● Orthopedics ● Interventional radiology ● Cardiology ● Vascular ● General surgery ● Colonoscopies, endoscopies, etc. In 2025, we’ll add services and a provider in otolaryngology, also known as ENT (ear, nose and throat), and selected pediatric surgeries, as well. With the BuildCMH Expansion Project, we plan to bring even more advanced procedures and increased health care access to people in the North Coast region. Learn more about our expanding surgical services as you read through the following pages of this edition of the Health Compass. 2 HEALTH COMPASS Early Spring 2025
The surgical service lines at CMH will add needed advancements in technology, upgrades to patient privacy and improved access to care when the BuildCMH Expansion Project is completed in 2027. More room Surgical spaces will grow from about 12,000 square feet to nearly 28,000 square feet, and pre- and postoperative rooms will increase from seven to 19, providing ample space for patients needing surgical services. Whether patients need general surgery, urologic, gynecologic, ENT or other surgeries, enhancements will include robotic-assisted surgery and five operating rooms (ORs). One OR, adjacent to the Family Birth Center, will be used solely for cesarean sections. Two endoscopy suites will allow for more routine preventive screenings. An interventional radiology suite also will be built, so CMH radiologists can perform image-guided, minimally invasive procedures without open surgery. A better experience The patient experience will also receive an upgrade. If you’ve been a patient at CMH, you may have been wheeled through a public hallway to the surgical suite or procedure room. When the hospital was first constructed, patient privacy regulations and expectations were not what they are today. In the expanded facility, separate corridors will provide more dignity and privacy for all patients. In addition, the hospital’s layout now doesn’t offer optimal flow when patients arrive, have surgery and are discharged. The admissions process and design of departments will be reconfigured in the expansion so same-day surgical patients may see the same nurse throughout their day, reducing handoffs and allowing for a smoother delivery of care. For those who stay overnight, inpatient rooms will be much larger, providing more space for patients and their visitors. All rooms will house only one patient, and they will be located on the third floor with views Surgery inpatient room sizes will dramatically increase, providing more space for patients and their visitors. Find updates Visit columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh for the latest news on our expansion. Surgery to offer enhanced care, privacy, technology of the Columbia River or green spaces outside. Every room will also have a private bathroom and shower. Care closer to home “Currently, we may need to send certain patients out of the area for care. These expanded services will open up the ability for more patients to stay here for their care. It will also allow more preventive screenings,” says Beverly Selga, MN-AL, RN, CNOR, director of surgical services. “We’ll be enhancing what we offer so they can care for their health within the community.” COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Early Spring 2025 3
When you need surgery, you want highly qualified experts performing your procedure. That’s just what you’ll find at the CMH-OHSU Health Medical Group Clinics. Our teams of board-eligible and board-certified surgeons are experienced in a variety of procedures, including total joint replacement, gallbladder surgery, foot and ankle surgery, and gynecologic surgeries. Our urology program offers the leading-edge UroLift® treatment for an enlarged prostate. In addition, we’re the only facility in the area that offers breast care procedures beyond screening mammograms. Person-centered surgeries Consistent with our organizational Planetree philosophy, our surgeons and nurses take the time to get to know you before your procedure. Your health care provider will discuss the procedure with you, answer your questions and give you pre-op instructions. After you schedule surgery, a nurse will work with you to complete any lab work or x-rays needed beforehand. After surgery, our nurses will give you instructions for recovery and our fact sheet about preventing surgical site infections. Your health care provider will help you manage prescriptions, get test results and more. Some of our surgical services General and vascular Our surgeons provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient procedures, including: ● Breast surgery and biopsy ● Colon and intestinal surgery ● Colonoscopy and endoscopy ● Gallbladder surgery ● Hemorrhoid treatment ● Hernia repair ● Varicose vein treatment ● Wound care and ostomy care Obstetrics and gynecology Our OB‑GYNs provide: ● Cesarean section deliveries ● Dilation and curettage (D&C) ● Fibroid, polyp and ovarian cyst removal ● Hysterectomy ● Hysteroscopy ● LEEP to remove precancers ● Salpingectomy or tubal ligation for sterilization They also perform minimally invasive procedures and provide gender-affirming care. Orthopedics Our surgeons perform arthroscopic joint surgery, rotator cuff repairs, meniscus repairs, ACL reconstructions and carpal tunnel surgery using very small incisions. They also provide total hip, knee and shoulder joint replacements, using the latest techniques — including robotic-assisted surgery with Mako SmartRobotics™ — and long-lasting implants. Foot and ankle CMH-OHSU Health foot and ankle surgeons perform procedures such as: ● Ankle fusion ● Arthroscopy ● Bunion, hammertoe and reconstructive surgeries ● Flat foot reconstruction ● Foot and ankle trauma repair When a joint is damaged by arthritis or other conditions, our surgeons can perform total ankle joint replacement. Urology Our urologists perform bladder and prostate cancer surgeries and UroLift® for enlarged prostate. Cardiology CMH-OHSU Health cardiologists place pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for patients who need them. All of our cardiologists perform cardioversions and transesophageal echocardiograms. Interventional radiology Our board-certified radiologists, along with specialty-trained nurses and imaging technologists, perform image-guided, minimally invasive procedures. Implanting vascular accesses, placing and removing vena cava filters, using a variety of drains in different places within the body, and performing procedures that relieve cancer symptoms are a few examples. 4 HEALTH COMPASS Early Spring 2025 Surgical services at CMH Michael Murdock, DPM, foot and ankle surgeon with the CMH-OHSU Health Foot & Ankle Clinic
Robert Marshburn, a local resident, lived with the pain of two separate knee injuries for years. The pain from his knees eventually led to a decision for surgery. The first surgery, which was completed at another facility, left him with complications. Marshburn was determined to find a better solution for his other knee and began researching alternatives. That is when he discovered the Mako SmartRobotics™ system, a leading technology that uses CT scans to create an accurate 3D model of an individual’s knee, ensuring precise placement of an implant. Marshburn was convinced of the potential of the Mako system and opted to have his next surgery done at CMH, which has the only Mako system on the Oregon coast. He couldn’t be happier with the outcome. “I can definitely tell a much better result from this knee than my previous surgery,” he says. An entire team of experts Marshburn credits not just the advanced technology used for the surgery but also the surgical and support teams, especially physical therapy, for making the process smoother. “They strike that nice balance between pushing me and being compassionate,” Marshburn says, noting how they tailored his recovery alongside the work of Daniel Fabiano, MD, orthopedic surgeon with the CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic. What stood out most to Marshburn was the personal care he received. “It felt like family, not just employees,” he says, praising the hospital’s ability to combine top-tier technology with a compassionate touch. No need to travel for care Marshburn encourages others to look locally before seeking care elsewhere. “You don’t have to go to Portland; CMH has a lot of offerings here,” he says. “You’ll see why you wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.” For Marshburn, the combination of advanced technology and personalized care at CMH made all the difference. More patients using our surgical services The chart below shows how the number of patients using CMH surgical services, both inpatient and outpatient, has grown in recent years. Year Number of patients 2021 11.6% increase from 2020 volumes 2022 8.4% increase from 2021 volumes 2023 10.8% increase from 2022 volumes 2024 3.7% increase from 2023 volumes New knee a notable success Robert Marshburn shares his CMH knee replacement story Care focused on you Learn more about our surgical services and providers at columbiamemorial.org/surgery. Daniel Fabiano, MD, orthopedic surgeon with the CMH‑OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic Coming soon in 2025 ● Ear, nose and throat surgeries ● Limited pediatric surgeries COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Early Spring 2025 5
Rebrand reflects CMH’s commitment to safety and connection to nature, local area Columbia Memorial Hospital is proud to announce a rebrand of CMH — a new look for a new era in health care — as it looks to the future and its hospital expansion, expected to be completed in 2027. CMH partnered with Portland-based branding agency Sockeye, along with a committee made up of patients, Marketing team members and leadership, to complete the rebrand process in 2024. The Board of Trustees approved the new look at its meeting in October 2024. High time for a change “Our previous logo and branding was introduced in 2006, so it was nearly 20 years old,” says CEO Erik Thorsen. “With the construction phase of the BuildCMH Expansion Project beginning, it is the perfect time to rebrand CMH and launch a new look that will enrich the expansion’s look and feel.” Patients will notice our refreshed website at columbiamemorial.org, along with updated social media pages. Throughout 2025, patients will see updates in signage, printed materials and digital presence. While the hospital itself will continue to be known as Columbia Memorial Hospital, the rebrand and primary logo emphasize the health system as a whole, including the CMH-OHSU Health Medical Group, as “CMH.” This change in naming convention reflects the organization’s clinics and services that have grown to be far more than “just a hospital.” “This new look represents the same CMH and care that patients have come to know and trust,” says Sarah Bello, Marketing manager, “and yet, it’s a modern enhancement to bring us into the next generation of health care on the coast.” A new look for a new era About the new look The rebrand was inspired by the beauty of the Columbia coast region and its natural surroundings. The shield logo integrates the themes of nature, community and protection into a powerful symbol. The flowing water symbolizes both the Columbia River and the concepts of life and renewal. The Astoria-Megler Bridge not only gives a sense of place and identity but also represents community and connection. The fir tree stands for strength and growth, reflecting CMH’s deep roots in the area. The primary color palette of blues is inspired by the Columbia River and deep waters surrounding the Columbia coast region, chosen to evoke feelings of calm, healing and harmony. Together, these elements form a distinctive and meaningful look that embodies strength, safety and reliability. Thank you for trusting us with your care. If you have any questions about the rebrand, please reach out to Sarah Bello, Marketing manager, by email at sbello@columbiamemorial.org. Curious? To read FAQs about the rebrand, visit columbiamemorial.org/rebrand. 6 HEALTH COMPASS Early Spring 2025
Jon Englund was born at Columbia Hospital. When his son, Kurt, was welcomed into the family, he was born there, as well. The Englund family has a long history in Astoria and founded Englund Marine & Industrial Supply more than 80 years ago. The business has steadily grown, locally and throughout the Western United States, and it currently employs more than 150 people. As business owners, the Englunds say it’s important for them to be located in an area with good health care available. “At my age, you don’t drive in the dark anymore,” says Jon, CEO of Englund Marine. “So having a hospital here where you can reach your appointments and get your medical needs taken care of is huge.” The Englunds say the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative is a good example of care that CMH now provides locally for the benefit of the region. Opened in 2017, the Cancer Collaborative has saved patients thousands of dollars in drives to Portland; Longview, Washington; and other service areas to get cancer treatment. Support makes sense “Traditionally, [finding] quality health care in rural areas has been a challenge,” says Kurt, company president. “Years ago, CMH made a choice to strategically take on those challenges to provide better care in our area. As care has improved, we feel the investment in the new expansion Englund family donates $100,000 will only continue that trend and will provide the best health care available for our local community.” The Englunds have supported the hospital for years. Jon served on the Board of Trustees for a time, and Kurt was on the CMH Foundation’s Board for about nine years. The family has generously donated $100,000 toward the BuildCMH Expansion Project, saying it’s an investment in local health services. “I think it’s just important to have good health care. You never know Ready to make a difference too? To contribute to the BuildCMH campaign, scan the QR code or visit columbiamemorial.org/ buildcmh-campaign. when you’re going to need it or who’s going to need it,” Kurt explains. “I think with regard to this new project, making sure that the hospital is state-of-the-art, it’s going to attract the best talent, you know, from recruiting doctors and all the staff in between…. It’ll boost the level of service and quality of service for this whole area, not just for our employees but for the whole community.” Find out more about the BuildCMH Expansion Project at columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh. Englund Marine & Industrial Supply has served marine enthusiasts since 1944 with industrial and fishing gear and expertise. CEO Jon Englund (right) and President Kurt Englund value CMH’s excellent health care for their employees, family and community. They’re happy to invest in keeping great health care here at home COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Early Spring 2025 7
COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2111 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 Find us on social media! @cmhcommunity @cmhcommunity linkedin.com/company/ columbia-memorial-hospital @cmhcommunity Cover photo by Sarah Bello, Marketing Manager. CMH HEALTH COMPASS is published as a community service by COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, a Planetree Gold-Certified Person-Centered Care Facility. 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, telephone 503-325-4321, website: columbiamemorial.org For information about CMH HEALTH COMPASS: Sarah Bello, MBA, Marketing Manager Robert Holland, MD, PhD President, Board of Trustees Erik Thorsen, MBA, CPA, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Nicole Williams, MPA, FACHE Chief Operating Officer Christopher Strear, MD, FACEP Chief Medical Officer Information in CMH HEALTH COMPASS comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Jarrod Karnofski, DPT, ATC, MSHCA Vice President, Ancillary and Support Services Judy Geiger, RN, MBA Vice President, Patient Care Services Christopher Laman, PharmD, MBA Vice President, Strategy Brandon Parker, MBA, CPA Vice President, Finance Nicole Perez, BSHA, MSITM Vice President, Health Information Services Details in depth To find out what the CMH-OHSU Health Endocrinology Clinic has to offer, visit columbiamemorial.org/endocrinology. Dr. Kasireddy is an endocrinologist in the CMH-OHSU Health Endocrinology Clinic. She joined the clinic in November 2024. Q: What is the best part of your job? A: “I enjoy the opportunity to maintain long-term relationships with my patients and work with awesome colleagues in our Endocrinology Clinic.” Q: What do you do to connect with patients? A: “I share funny anecdotes from my personal life to make patients comfortable. I equip them with the knowledge to make informed decisions and support them throughout the process.” Q: Why did you choose your medical specialty? A: “Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism — the name itself shows how broad the specialty is. Even as a medical student, I was amazed by the variety of glands and hormonal pathways in the human body. I enjoy the analytical aspects of the subject, but seeing patients learn about the disease and take ownership of their health is everything.” Meet a CMH provider Amulya Kasireddy, MBBS CMH-OHSU Health Endocrinology Clinic
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