2 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SPRING 2024 The best place to work on the coast By Nicole Williams, COO Every day, our caregivers’ actions help improve our community and help our patients live their healthiest lives. Without our team, Columbia Memorial Hospital could not continue that important work. Over the past several years, we’ve made significant efforts to improve the caregiver experience at CMH. In fact, one of our goals to focus on over the next five years is to “remain the best place to work.” I am proud and honored to be a CMH caregiver. We wholeheartedly believe CMH is the best place to work in our region, and we want our caregivers to love what they do here. Studies have found that when people engage in work they love, they experience less stress and have a lower resting heart rate. When people love what they do, their entire outlook on work can change. They work harder and aim higher, seeking opportunities to learn and improve on a daily basis. This can bring fulfillment personally and professionally, making a positive impact on the workplace. In the past year, we asked our caregivers to tell us why they love what they do. The answers were nothing short of inspiring, and we’d like to share many of their “whys” with you. Read on in this issue of Health Compass to hear more about why we love what we do! And if you’re looking for change, think about applying today and joining our team at the best place to work on the coast. CMH wins highest National Rural Health Association Award CMH was selected as the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Outstanding Rural Health Organization for 2024. This national award recognizes an organization that has improved access to health services and information for rural people through broad and innovative approaches. Factors considered include outreach, preventive health and education, quality and efficiency of care, and strong community support and involvement. This is the NRHA’s most competitive award and highest honor. “There are so many things that set us apart as a rural health care organization. I want to emphasize that without our team of caregivers at CMH, we could not achieve this recognition,” says Erik Thorsen, CEO. “As we think back on our growth and success over the past several years, these choices, along with our team, have led the way: increasing access to care following the Board of Trustees’ lead in 2010; bringing in new services, such as cancer care, interventional radiology and robotic surgery; becoming Planetree gold-certified and changing our philosophy of care; and positioning ourselves as a strategic partner of OHSU.” CMH is already working on its next chapter and a new era of health care in the Columbia coast region with the BuildCMH Expansion Project, a $250 million-plus investment to expand its Astoria campus, growing hospital service lines, attracting new health care providers and providing the latest technology to address community health needs. “This award demonstrates that we are on the right path to becoming a national leader in rural health care, providing the highest-quality care to our community,” Thorsen says.
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