DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2026 CMH Outpatient Pharmacy expands services in Astoria
2 HEALTH COMPASS Late Summer 2026 Outpatient Pharmacy services expand to better serve you Jennifer Peach-Guzmán, Vice President of Patient Care Services In 2012, Columbia Memorial Hospital’s first Outpatient Pharmacy opened in Astoria in the Park Medical Building. Since its beginning, the pharmacy has been person-centered and community-oriented. Over the years, the pharmacy outgrew its initial space and currently fills more than 5,600 prescriptions per month. A second location in Seaside opened in February 2020 and now fills nearly 5,000 prescriptions each month. The Outpatient Pharmacy was started in Astoria with pharmacist Patty Chow, RPh, and both locations are now led by her son, Jeffrey Chow, PharmD, continuing a tradition of care across generations. In January, the Astoria location underwent a massive remodel, increasing the space available to begin compounding services, as well as offer durable medical equipment (DME) and pet medications. Learn more about the expanded services available by reading this issue of the Health Compass. Apply for CMH’s community sponsorship and grant program CMH has provided sponsorships to local youth sports organizations, nonprofits and health-related events for many years. This year, the program has been revamped. A new review committee now reviews requests twice annually. Decisions on requests are made within about a month of the biannual deadlines, with recipients notified shortly after. The application period for the second review of the year is now open, with a Sept. 30 deadline to apply. Sponsorship requests Sponsorship requests ask for funding of $500 or less. Organizations that are sponsored include youth sports teams, schools, groups and clubs, and others. Sponsorship requests must be related to health and wellness. Grant requests Grants are requests for funding for an organization or event. Any amount can be requested, but the review committee makes the final decision on grant amounts given. Examples of things grant requests may be made for include (but are not limited to): ● Cooking classes ● Community sports events (such as runs/walks) or exercise classes ● Volunteer events ● Health screenings and fairs ● Educational talks about health ● Vaccine clinics ● First aid trainings ● Community baby showers ● Nonprofit support events Grant requests must be related to health and wellness and will be considered based on their relevance to an annual priority. The 2026 priority for grant requests is health care-related requests. Ready to get started? ● Sponsorship application: columbiamemorial.org/sponsorships ● Grant application: columbiamemorial.org/grants If you have questions, please email cmhcommunity@columbiamemorial.org.
Show your support Together, we can BuildCMH Leave your legacy at CMH by purchasing a brick or paver to be placed in the expanded hospital’s bricklined path to the labyrinth. Honor a loved one, highlight your business or simply add your name or your family member’s name to the list of community members who are supporting this important addition to the Astoria landscape. Options include: Have more questions? Submit questions and feedback, make a donation, read the latest project news and watch live construction cameras to keep an eye on the project at columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh. BUILDCMH UPDATE Weatherproofing started this summer In June, CMH celebrated the topping out of the expansion by having caregivers sign one of the final steel beams placed. Immediately following the completion of the steel framework, crews began working to weatherproof the building. Our target is to be completely weathertight, including windows, roof and siding completed, by the end of 2026. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Late Summer 2026 3 ● $250 for a 4-by-8-inch brick ● $1,000 for a 12-by-12-inch paver Visit columbiamemorial.org/brick to make a purchase.
4 HEALTH COMPASS Late Summer 2026 Brighter, modernized space welcomes patients in Astoria In early January, the CMH Outpatient Pharmacy in Astoria welcomed patients to a brighter, modernized space on the west side of the Park Medical Building at 2120 Exchange St., Ste. 101, Astoria. This renovation reflects CMH’s ongoing commitment to enhance the health and well-being of our community. The remodeled pharmacy now features expanded services, including private patient consultations and vaccinations. This summer, CMH began offering compounding, a service not available anywhere else in Clatsop County. Helping the medicine go down Compounded pharmaceuticals are custom-made to meet individual patient needs, allowing for tailored dosages, alternative forms for easier administration, and allergy-friendly options. CMH is also exploring additional services that could benefit the community, thanks to the new space. “We appreciate the community’s kindness and patience throughout the remodel,” says Jeff Chow, PharmD, Outpatient Pharmacy manager. “We’re thrilled to welcome patients into our new space!” Pharmacy services have expanded CMH pharmacies go beyond simply filling prescriptions. Their pharmacists partner with patients and providers to ensure medication safety, provide expert answers to health questions, and offer personalized support for managing complex medication regimens. Free delivery and more The Astoria and Seaside locations offer pharmacist-prescribed birth control, naloxone and tobacco cessation products. They also offer free prescription delivery from Knappa to Cannon Beach, personalized medication management, safe medication disposal through MED-Project, optimized refill scheduling, medication labels in over 50 languages, and on-site vaccinations. CMH pharmacies accept most insurance plans and offer competitive pricing on both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Many Clockwise, from top: Compounded pharmaceuticals are custommade; the remodeled Outpatient Pharmacy; one of our pharmacy technicians works on a prescription.
Smart medicine strategies When your provider prescribes a medication, taking some simple steps can help you get the most benefit from your pharmacy. Notify the pharmacy if you have a specific timeline for your prescription. Prescriptions are typically filled in the order they are received, but if you communicate your needs, the pharmacy will do its best to accommodate you. To receive important updates from the pharmacy, please ensure you are signed up for pharmacy communications. Other helpful tips 1. Ask questions. Understanding your medications can help you use them safely and effectively. If you have any questions, please ask for a consultation with a pharmacist — they’re here to help. 2. Tell your providers and pharmacy about all your medicines. This includes prescription drugs, overthe-counter medicines and supplements. Sharing this information with your health care team can help you avoid problems with your medicines. 3. Follow directions. Always take your medicine exactly as it was prescribed to you. Check the label every time you take the medicine to ensure you’re taking the right medicine in the right way. Please inform the pharmacy immediately if the directions on your label do not match the instructions given by your provider. 4. Store medicines properly. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture may affect how well medicines work, so avoid storing them in a bathroom cabinet or the kitchen — though some medicines do need to be refrigerated. Your pharmacy can tell you where to keep your medicines. 5. If you’re having trouble paying for medicine, tell your provider. Your pharmacy may have ideas for how to save money on your medicines. For example, a lower-priced generic drug may work just as well, or there might be prescription assistance programs that offer free or discounted medications. In the works: We are looking into restarting the mobile app to make pharmacy communications more accessible and efficient. Ready to make the switch? Call the Astoria Pharmacy at 503-338-4560 or the Seaside Pharmacy at 503-738-3006 to transfer your prescriptions today. Discover more about the CMH Outpatient Pharmacies and their services at columbiamemorial.org/pharmacy. over-the-counter products at CMH are often more affordable than those at national chain pharmacies, making healthy living accessible for all. You don’t need to be a CMH patient to take advantage of the Outpatient Pharmacies’ full range of prescription and over-the-counter services. TOP: Patty Chow, RPh, in the original CMH Outpatient Pharmacy in Astoria. BOTTOM: Three of our pharmacy team members — Jennifer Shaw, PharmD, Jeff Chow, PharmD, and Danielle Nice, CPhT — completed training in compounding custom-made medications, a new service for the Outpatient Pharmacy in Astoria. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Late Summer 2026 5
6 HEALTH COMPASS Late Summer 2026 Peers nominate nearly 60 caregivers Every year during National Hospital Week in May, CMH recognizes caregivers and providers who were nominated by their peers for Spirit of Care Awards. “This is my favorite part of the week,” says Erik Thorsen, CEO, “because we get to hear stories about the excellent caregivers who are part of our organization.” This year’s winners were Karma Hirning, lab aide, and Allison Martin, MD, pediatrician. The winners were chosen from nearly 60 nominations, decided on by CMH’s Person-Centered Care Steering Committee, Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and PFAC Hispano. Here are their nominations, written by fellow caregivers. CMH celebrates Spirit of Care Award winners Karma Hirning, lab aide “Karma Hirning consistently exhibits a commitment to personcentered care. I have personally heard patients state they will come to the Warrenton Clinic specifically for blood draws and lab work because she works there. Her demeanor and skills put them at ease and keep them comfortable. “A specific instance was with a patient who was a veteran and was so afraid of needles, he struggled not to panic even just sitting in the chair. Karma established a rapport with him and had him laughing and joking, and drew his blood so quickly and with such ease, the patient did not even realize she was done. “[That is just one example,] but that is her, every single day. She always does what is best for the patient. Whether it’s tracking down buried standing lab orders, making someone comfortable From left are Nicole Williams, COO and assistant CEO; Karma Hirning; Allison Martin, MD; and Erik Thorsen, CEO of Columbia Memorial Hospital. when they’re afraid of needles or taking care of her lab space, Karma is the epitome of a professional lab technician.” Allison Martin, MD “Dr. Martin routinely goes out of her way to go the extra mile for her patients. She has added siblings onto her already-full schedule to ensure they received well exams or evaluations they were behind on, to make it easier on families and reduce the need for them to return to the clinic. “She has organized care for a mother in mental health crisis who did not have a primary or obstetric care provider to advocate for them. It doesn’t matter how far behind she may be running in her day, she makes it a point to ensure her patients get their full visit and never feel shorted because her day may be crazy. “Families coming in for nurse visits look for her in the hallway because they are hoping for the chance to say ‘hi’ to her before they leave. She really just cares for her patients and their genuine well-being, and it’s so refreshing to see how much she enjoys her profession and the kiddos she takes care of. We are so lucky to have her, and she is so deserving of the Spirit of Care Award.” “Congratulations, Karma and Dr. Martin. We are truly grateful for the spirit of care you bring to our organization,” Thorsen says. “And congratulations to all of the nominees. You represent what CMH is all about.”
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Late Summer 2026 7 Nearly 200 caregivers have supported the BuildCMH Expansion Project with over $300,000 in donations through the CMH Employee Giving Campaign. Laura Cox and David Allsup, referral and authorization representatives with the Patient Connection Center, have each chosen to give to the project in their own ways. COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Building from within David Allsup Allsup gives $10 per pay period and has chosen to make donations until the campaign is complete. By the campaign’s end, he will have given just over $500. “I decided to give to the Employee Giving Campaign for the CMH build project because it’s the right thing to do,” Allsup says. “I’m very communityminded, and this is just a small way that I can give back to the community…. “In so many ways, I think the build will contribute to the community through the Caregivers who pledge a donation of any amount to the Employee Giving Campaign are entered to win quarterly prizes and a grand prize that will be announced at the end of the campaign. It’s a win-win for CMH. Caregivers can take ownership and pride in the historic expansion, and their donations make a tangible difference with the project. Laura Cox Cox donates $20 per paycheck, giving until a total gift of $500 is reached. The payroll deduction makes it easy to give and not miss the amount every other week. “I donate to the building expansion project because I think it’s really important for the community,” Cox says. “It’s going to be nice to have a bigger facility that can maybe bring in more specialties so those in the community that can’t leave for medical care will have it here at home.” increase in services that [will] save people a lot of trips to Portland and a lot of drive time. The services that are so important to us here in this community are going to be available right here.” CMH caregivers support the BuildCMH Expansion Project You can help too! Learn how you can donate toward the project through cash gifts, appreciated securities, real estate, charitable trusts, estate bequests and more. Gifts of $25,000 or more will be recognized with naming opportunities in the expansion, and a donation of $10,000 or more will add your name to the donor wall. Contact Mark Kujala, at foundationinfo@ columbiamemorial.org, for more information. Benefits on both sides
COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2111 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 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, Director of Communications CAPT. Doug Kaup President, Board of Trustees Erik Thorsen, MBA, CPA, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Nicole Williams, MPA, FACHE Chief Operating Officer/ Assistant CEO Jimmy Heilman, MD, MBA Chief Medical Officer Brandon Parker, MBA, CPA Chief Financial 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. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Jennifer Peach-Guzmán, RN, BSN, MBA Vice President, Patient Care Services Jarrod Karnofski, DPT, ATC, MSHCA Vice President, Ancillary and Support Services Christopher Laman, PharmD, MBA , FACHE Vice President, Strategy Nicole Perez, BSHA, MSITM Vice President, Health Information Services Doug Mays, MHA Vice President, Facilities, Security and Environmental Care Meet a CMH provider Ashlyn Swerdloff, DO, CMH-OHSU Health Pediatric Clinic Call for your child’s appointment Make an appointment with the CMH-OHSU Health Pediatric Clinic by calling 503-325-7337. Podiatry The CMH-OHSU Health Foot & Ankle Clinic specializes in: ● Foot and ankle pain ● Diabetic foot care ● Nail and skin conditions ● Sports and overuse injuries ● Surgical and nonsurgical treatments Make an appointment with a podiatrist. Seaside: 503-738-3002 Astoria: 503-338-4075 Dr. Swerdloff was born and raised in Astoria and is the daughter of longtime CMH caregiver Kendra Gohl, infection preventionist. After finishing her residency in South Carolina, Dr. Swerdloff is returning home to practice pediatrics. Can you tell us a little about your background and why you decided to become a pediatrician? My calling to work with children dates back to my childhood when I nannied three young girls. I have an undergraduate degree in social work, which has created a unique lens to see children. By understanding the socioeconomic struggles many patients face, I have developed the ability to effectively meet children where they are while enacting mindful interventions to enhance overall well-being. Every child I have worked with has inspired me and helped mold me into the pediatrician I am now. Pediatrics is the space where I find my confidence, inner peace and the utmost fulfillment as a physician, and I can’t wait to share that passion with the children I share a home with along the Oregon Coast. What does personcentered care look like to you in your job? Person-centered care is intrinsic to the success of pediatrics, but it often looks more like family-centered care. The entire family unit is what makes a child successful. I believe it is vital to have them at the center of our care plan. What is your approach to pediatric care? Each child has different needs and interests, and it is my mission to help meet those needs alongside their family’s goals. I want my patients to know that they are safe and supported in my office, that I will foster their goals for health, and that I will encourage them to be the healthiest version of themselves. My hope is for each child to leave my office feeling seen, heard and valued.
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