TONASKET – North Valley Hospitals showed off its new second-floor surgical center on Friday, treating visitors to tours and giving an overview of the services to be offered there, as well as some reflection on the road to getting the refurbishment completed.
“We have everything upstairs,” said surgery supervisor Trevor Rise. “It’s the first time we’ve had everything in one place. It really helps with efficiency and continuity.”
The open house opened with a number of speakers, including Business Development Coordinator Terri Orford, CEO Linda Michel, Dr. Paula Silha and Dr. Donald Sebesta.
Orford read a congratulatory letter from U.S. Representative Doc Hastings.
“This hospital and the services its dedicated team provides is an impressive example of patient-focused commitment,” he wrote. “Everybody associated with this hospital should be proud of the work that they do each day and the quality of care that the provide.”
Michel talked about the challenges of getting the project completed, as well as some of the future challenges NVH faces as health care is in a state of rapid change.
“We’ve experienced a very, very long journey getting here,” Michel said. “Every frustration or roadblock we had to get past was worth this moment for me.
“Health care is ever-changing and the cost is rising quicker than the changes. It sometimes seems like an impossible task to keep up. … Governmental mandates and assumptions about the needs of small communities like this one are affecting rural health care so drastically that rural care may become extinct in the future. We are determined to continue our journey forward to provide high quality care in local communities and continue to focusing on what we all contribute to that cause every day on this campus.”
Before-and-after photos highlighted part of the changes to the second floor of the facility.
