As a retired health care administrator of 30 years, Tita Montero knows good health care. Montero lives in Seaside and is a city councilor there. She has received her medical care at CMH for more than a decade. As a Seaside resident, Montero is especially grateful that CMH opened a clinic there in 2020. Now, instead of making the drive to Astoria, she can see her provider, go to the pharmacy and get lab work done within five minutes of her house. “It’s very important that this be close to home,” she says. Strong supporter For the past several years, Montero has been a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Members of PFAC share the patient perspective on various projects at CMH. Montero has been involved in testing new patient beds and other materials, as well as discussing the BuildCMH Expansion Project. She recently donated $5,000 to purchase a stone bench for the new labyrinth that will be next to the expanded hospital. “I believe in contributing to the institutions and the nonprofits that I believe do good work and benefit the community,” she shares, “and this is something that I truly believe in for CMH.” Reflecting on the expansion, Montero says she was excited to see the thought that has gone into the building’s design. What stands out to her is the Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure that will serve as a safe refuge for caregivers, patients and community members in case of a natural disaster like a tsunami. Planning to provide refuge goes above and beyond the hospital’s call, she explains, and it’s an additional service for the community. A worthy cause “I am especially critical of health care systems. I know how they should work, I know how patients should be handled, I know about customer service,” Montero says. “Being so critical, it’s important to be able to discuss anything with the administrators at CMH. I find them to be open, I find them to be forwardthinking and I find them to be visible. “As someone who is retired and who must take required minimum distributions of my retirement funds, I find it very rewarding that I am able to give some of that money to a very worthy and deserving institution that is going to be here for a long time.” Seaside resident donates to CMH’s longevity Leave a legacy with the expansion project Find out more about the BuildCMH Expansion Project at columbiamemorial.org/ buildcmh. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG Late Spring 2025 7
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