WINTER 2025 DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING 3 Utility work begins for BuildCMH Expansion Project 6 How PFAC Hispano is helping our community Inside Growing to meet your needs: See what services CMH has to offer The CMH-OHSU Health General Surgery Clinic team includes (from left): Eric Zimmermann, MD; Rachel Van Dusen, MD; April Cockcroft, DO; and John Moon, MD, PhD, MS, DDS, FACS.
2 HEALTH COMPASS WINTER 2025 Erik Thorsen, CEO In 2010, Columbia Memorial Hospital established a clinical collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to enhance access to specialty care within the community. The development of new programs has been informed by both the health care needs of the Columbia coast region and our shared vision to serve Oregonians through capacity building in local communities. This unique collaboration with OHSU has allowed CMH to remain a locally governed and independent organization focused solely on improving the health of the residents within our service area. Through the years, the relationship with OHSU has grown, bringing much-needed services like cardiology, cancer care, endocrinology and pulmonology to our community. The growth in services offered is the main driver for the BuildCMH Expansion Project. The timeline at right provides a summary of the CMH-OHSU collaboration since its inception in 2010. CMH and OHSU remain committed to our original vision and will continue to bring new services to the region. Keep reading to learn more about our services in this edition of the Health Compass. Always growing to meet your needs A look at the CMH-OHSU relationship over time 2010 CMH and OHSU partner to bring medical oncology and cardiology services to the region. 2011 CMH and OHSU bring tele-stroke and tele-pediatrics to CMH. 2012 Electrophysiological studies begin in the CMH-OHSU Cardiology Clinic. 2013 CMH opens Warrenton Clinic and begins to provide primary care services. 2014 CMH and OHSU partner to bring more general surgeons to the region. 2015 CMH and OHSU partner to bring board-certified emergency medicine providers to Astoria. 2016 CMH and OHSU establish a rural emergency medicine rotation for medical residents. 2017 CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative opens. This comprehensive center provides medical and radiation oncology as well as lab and imaging services. 2020 The CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative earns Commission on Cancer accreditation, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to high-quality, coordinated care. In Surgery, a part-time vascular surgeon begins practicing at CMH. CMH also opens the Seaside Clinic and begins providing primary care and urgent care services to southern Clatsop County residents. 2021 The CMH Medical Group, encompassing 10-plus clinics and locations, becomes the CMH-OHSU Health Medical Group. CMH Medical Group providers join OHSU and become employees of OHSU. 2022 CMH and OHSU expand radiology services and start an interventional radiology program. 2023 CMH becomes the first Critical Access Hospital on the Oregon coast to implement a robotic surgery program with Mako SmartRobotics™. 2024 The CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic expands with six full-time providers offering a range of services. Many patients undergo heart surgery at OHSU in coordination with the team in Astoria. CMH and OHSU now employ general, orthopedic, urologic, OB-GYN and podiatric surgeons who all perform surgeries in CMH operating rooms, with other specialties still being recruited. There are 17-plus clinics with 90-plus OHSU-employed providers.
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG WINTER 2025 3 BUILDCMH UPDATE Utility work begins for BuildCMH Expansion Project Wondering how the BuildCMH Expansion Project is shaping up? Visit columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh to: See the most up-to-date architectural renderings Read the latest news See live webcams of the project progress Get answers to frequently asked questions Ask questions of your own You can also visit columbiamemorial.org/ buildcmh-campaign to: Find out how you can be a part of the project See fundraising progress Hear from some of our donors View renderings of project-naming opportunities Contribute toward our $10 million goal On Oct. 21, the official groundbreaking ceremony for the BuildCMH Expansion Project was held in the CMH Labyrinth in Astoria. In the fall, work on utilities around the hospital campus began to set the stage for the work to be done on the expansion. Some of that work includes patient experience upgrades, such as burying power lines for an improved view of the Columbia River. This will benefit patients when they receive care on the upper floors of the new hospital, as well as patients on the second floor of the Cancer Center. Thank you to Pacific Power for partnering with us on that part of the project to enhance our patient experience. In addition, work on water lines will help create redundancy in case of shutdowns in certain areas. This initial work surrounding the hospital campus will prepare us to fully move into the construction phase of the expansion project this spring. With all the construction, if you are heading to an appointment at CMH, we encourage you to plan extra drive time. Your support matters The BuildCMH Expansion Project would not be possible without the generosity of our community. It is truly a privilege to bring this updated center for health and wellness to the region. We hope you will tune in and stay connected as we make progress on the expansion facility over the coming years!
4 HEALTH COMPASS WINTER 2025 Behavioral health. Behavioral health services are integrated into our primary care clinics. Licensed clinical social workers and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners treat people of all ages. To find the best provider who is right for you, call your CMH-OHSU Health Primary Care Clinic. Cancer care. Expert, leading-edge medical and radiation oncology treatment, as well as chemotherapy, is available in Astoria at the CMH‑OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative. Cardiac rehabilitation. For those with heart problems, our certified cardiac rehabilitation program can give you the support and expertise you need to safely return to an active, heart-healthy lifestyle. Cardiology. The cardiologists at the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic have the skills and experience to treat a wide range of heart issues. Diabetes education. Our certified diabetes education program can empower you to thrive with the disease — and even help you learn how to prevent or delay some of the serious health problems diabetes can cause. Emergency Room. The CMH Emergency Room is staffed by OHSU physicians who are board-certified in emergency medicine, offering 24/7 emergency medical care for anyone who needs it. Endocrinology. The CMH-OHSU Health Endocrinology Clinic is home to board-certified endocrinologists who specialize in treating and managing problems that affect the endocrine system. Hospice. Lower Columbia Hospice helps families navigate terminal illness or the end stage of life. We understand that the end of life is about much more than physical care. That’s why we provide emotional support for the entire family. Hospitalist/inpatient care. From the time you are admitted to CMH until you go home, you will be cared for by an OHSU board-certified hospitalist. Hospitalists coordinate all aspects of care during inpatient stays. Imaging. Medical imaging tests help providers see inside the body to evaluate and treat all sorts of health conditions. Our imaging technology is state-of-the-art and includes 3D mammograms, digital x-rays, multi-slice CT and MRI scans, high-quality ultrasound machines, and nuclear medicine. Every imaging exam is performed by a qualified and nationally licensed technologist and read by a board-certified radiologist. Laboratory. Whether you need routine urinalysis or urgent blood work, the CMH lab can help. We process most lab tests on-site, ensuring fast, accurate results. For less-common tests, we have partnerships with trusted labs. Labor and delivery. Pregnancy is a time of enormous excitement, tremendous anticipation and countless questions. Your growing family deserves expert care and the best possible labor and delivery in a warm and friendly environment. That’s what we provide at the CMH Family Birth Center. Nutrition therapy. Whether you’re looking to lose weight or to eat better, the nutritionists at CMH offer evidence-based care that’s tailored specifically to your needs. What CMH has to offer See the latest overview of our services With our team of more than 900 caregivers and providers at CMH, we are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to provide the following services to our patients: Whitney Latham, DO, is a pediatrician at the CMH-OHSU Health Medical Group Clinic in Seaside.
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG WINTER 2025 5 Orthopedics and sports medicine. The CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic team has the training and experience to address any issue involving the musculoskeletal system, including arthritis, carpal tunnel and painful joints. We also offer robotic-assisted total joint replacement surgery. Pediatrics. The CMH-OHSU Health Pediatric Clinics in Astoria and Seaside provide specialty care for children, including well-child checkups, immunizations, care for chronic conditions and childhood issues, and more. Pharmacy. At CMH’s Outpatient Pharmacies in Astoria and Seaside, the pharmacists take time to answer your questions and help you manage multiple medications. Our pharmacies accept most insurance, are open seven days a week, and offer home delivery and competitive prices on medications. Podiatry. It’s hard to enjoy life when your feet hurt. The foot and ankle specialists at the CMH-OHSU Health Foot & Ankle Clinics in Astoria and Seaside are here for you. Our podiatrists can help keep you moving with less pain. Primary care. You and your family deserve an exceptional primary care team to help you maintain the best possible health. That’s what you’ll find at the CMH-OHSU Health Primary Care Clinics in Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside. We’re your hometown providers, and we are committed to our community’s health. Pulmonary rehabilitation. CMH’s pulmonary rehab program offers a combination of education and supervised exercise designed to help you get stronger, breathe easier and resume activities that may have become difficult due to a lung condition. Take a closer look For more details about our services and providers, visit columbiamemorial.org. Amulya Kasireddy, MD, endocrinologist, and Keri Brown, DO, pulmonologist, practice at CMH-OHSU Health Medical Group Clinics. Pulmonology. Living with a breathing problem can be difficult and stressful. At the CMH-OHSU Health Pulmonology Clinic, we offer specialized pulmonology and sleep medicine services that can help you breathe better and live life to the fullest. Rehabilitation services. After an injury or illness, many adults and children need help getting back to daily activities. The CMH physical, occupational and speech-language therapy teams can provide that help. Respiratory therapy. CMH offers both inpatient and outpatient respiratory therapy services. We provide diagnosis, treatment and ongoing medical care for many respiratory issues. Surgical services. The team of board-certified surgeons at the CMH-OHSU Health General Surgery Clinic is experienced in a variety of procedures, including gallbladder surgery, breast care procedures, colonoscopies, endoscopies and vascular surgery. Swing bed care. Not every patient is ready to leave the hospital right away. If you are recovering from an illness or medical treatment, CMH’s Medicare-certified Swing Bed Program offers the care you need to support a smooth transition from your time in the hospital to the next stage of your recovery. Urgent care. From sore throats to scraped knees, minor medical conditions can crop up at any time. When they do, you can get fast, excellent treatment without an appointment at one of the CMH Urgent Care Clinics in Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Urology. At the CMH-OHSU Health Urology Clinic, we offer a full range of care for conditions that involve the urinary tract. Our urologists are skilled at talking about sensitive issues. They are professional and compassionate and will strive to put you at ease. Women’s health. From your first gynecological visit to pregnancy care to the menopausal transition, you want a caring women’s health provider to answer your questions, explain treatments and deliver care focused on you. At the CMH-OHSU Health Women’s Center, our board-certified OB‑GYNs and certified nurse midwives are here for you every step of the way.
6 HEALTH COMPASS WINTER 2025 Promover y mejorar la calidad, seguridad y cultura dentro de nuestra comunidad cada vez más diversa “I joined PFAC Hispano to promote and enhance the quality, safety and culture within our increasingly diverse community.” — Maritza Casarrubias-Sanchez Mejor apoyo y servicio a nuestros pacientes que hablan español “I appreciate the drive to serve patients’ needs no matter the circumstances for a CMH visit. I was invited to apply to PFAC Hispano and have enjoyed being a part of important changes to hospital materials and efforts to understand how we can better support and serve our Spanish-speaking patients.” — Adriana Guerrero Quiero ser una voz para la comunidad Latinx “One of the reasons I agreed to be part of this project is because I want to be a voice for the Latinx community. [It is] a reminder that we...want to be heard and included — and what a great opportunity to do so.” — Norma Hernandez Comprometidos con mejorar los servicios de salud para las personas que hablan español “I am part of this committee because I understand that language barriers... can prevent non-English speakers from accessing care, leading to misunderstandings and mistrust between clients and providers. As a member of the Hispanic community, I am committed to improving health services for Spanish speakers, believing that access to care in their language will encourage more individuals to seek medical help and address health disparities in Clatsop County.” — Paula Bartheld Dar voz a la comunidad creciente en el condado “I have four beautiful children and a lovely husband who encouraged me to be more proactively involved in our community to improve services for the Hispanic people. As part of PFAC Hispano, I have that opportunity, and I’m able to share experiences and challenges, giving a voice to our growing community in the county.” — Viridiana Garcia Formando la atención médica para nuestra comunidad Latina “I joined PFAC Hispano to actively participate in shaping the conversations and decisions that affect the Latine community in our area. There is tremendous opportunity to bring about meaningful change and improvements in health care, ensuring it is tailored to the language and cultural needs of our community. I applaud CMH for establishing this advisory committee and for demonstrating genuine care and commitment to supporting the well-being of the Latine population.” — Rocio Simmons Bridging the gap for the Latino community in Clatsop County “Soy latino y formo parte de este comité con la idea de aportar y ayudar un poco más a la comunidad latina de Clatsop County. Ayudar a mejorar la conexión con el sistema para que no se sientan marginados.” — Marcelo Hernandez Abogando por los derechos del paciente y la competencia cultural “I am part of the PFAC committee because I want to voice what our community’s current needs are. As part of the Clatsop County community, I want to make sure the patient has the right to considerate and respectful care and...has the right to and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in their native language. [The] goal [is] increasing cultural competence and decreasing health disparities.” — Argelia Mendez Bridging the gap with PFAC Hispano The Patient and Family Advisory Council Hispano speaks up for Spanish‑speaking patients in discussions about the hospital experience
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG WINTER 2025 7 CMH FOUNDATION Teevin family backs expansion as major donors Why the project is so important to them When Shawn Teevin was a defensive end for the Knappa High School Loggers football team, he wasn’t told not to hit head-on-head. One bad hit resulted in a broken neck, and he recalls going to the old Columbia Hospital for treatment. Now, as the largest donor to the BuildCMH Expansion Project, which will triple the size of CMH, he says the expansion is what the community needs in a big way. A community cause Shawn, who was born and raised in Clatsop County, and his wife, Paula, have committed $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations to the project. They are the owners of Teevin Bros. Land & Timber Company, headquartered in Knappa, with business operations in rock quarries, forest products, trucking and material handling. The Teevins say the hospital’s partnership with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and having access to specialty care in a rural area has benefited their employees, friends and family members. They’ve been friends of the hospital and major donors for other projects in the past, including the CMH‑OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative. “As in any community, the hospital is a pinnacle in the infrastructure,” Paula says. “At some point, we’re all going to have to use it, right? So [it’s] very, very important.” The family has worked with the BuildCMH project team to incorporate their in-kind donation of Oregon rock and timber products into the design — a community connection fitting into the project’s four guiding principles to use local products and talent whenever possible. Happy to support Growing up in the area, Shawn says that in the past, people from the region wanted to go to Portland for advanced health care treatments. But with a new hospital facility and state-of-theart technology attracting high-quality providers, he says the hospital will fill a need for those in the community, living across the Columbia River and down the north coast of Oregon. Find out more about the project and how you can make a difference at columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh. We think it’s an amazing project. We’re just happy to have the opportunity to [support] it. I think it’s a worthwhile project to back and would encourage anybody and everybody, for whatever amount they can afford, to be a part of it.” — Shawn Teevin
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 Meet a CMH provider Rebecca Josephson, MD CMH-OHSU Health Women’s Center Dr. Josephson is an OB-GYN in the CMH-OHSU Health Women’s Center. She joined the clinic in September 2024. Why did you choose your medical specialty? “Working as an OB-GYN comes with an amazing mix of surgery, focused problem visits, primary care and prenatal care. We get to share some of the most meaningful moments with patients and their families as they welcome new life into the world. We also get to support people through challenging diagnoses or losses and advocate for our patients on a variety of important issues.” What do you do to connect with your patients? “As an OB-GYN, I talk with folks about really personal matters. I try to put patients at ease by normalizing their experience. My goal is to be a resource to patients and empower them to make the choices that are right for them by giving them the information they need.” What is the best part about your job? “I can’t pick just one! I feel lucky to be with patients for deliveries, partner with them over the years through their reproductive health and beyond, and treat patients with surgery when needed. I have the best job ever!” Find out more about the Women’s Center at columbiamemorial.org/womens-health. Cover photo by Austin Miller, Videographer and Graphic Designer. 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. 2024 © 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
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQ1MTY=