2022 ANNUAL REPORT Nurturing a healthy community CELEBRATING A TRADITION OF EXCELLENT, PERSONALIZED CARE
Our Vision To provide accessible, quality health care Our Mission To foster trust and nurture a healthy community Core Values ● One team, one mission. ● Go out of your way to brighten someone’s day. ● Own it, embrace it. ● Care like crazy. ● Motivate, elevate, appreciate. ● Know the way, show the way, ease the way. ● Find joy along the way. MyArborHealth.org Ask anyone in health care about their greatest challenge and they’ll have the same answer—staffing shortages. Arbor Health has experienced the same issue across the organization. As of this writing, we are searching for nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, medical laboratory technologists, certified nursing assistants, billing clerks, dietary professionals and more. Teamwork and ingenuity What does a small, rural health system like Arbor Health do in this situation? We pull together, sharpen our teamwork skills and use a little creativity. One common—but costly— avenue is contracted labor, known as “travelers.” Rather than working for one organization long-term, these medical professionals work for a placement organization that contracts with the health systems for temporary help. This is definitely costly for the health system; however, using contract labor allows us to provide vital medical care to our communities. And then there’s the aforementioned creativity aspect. Our Human Resources Department tried a couple new avenues in 2022. First, they met with Morton, White Pass and Mossyrock high school seniors to tell about the many careers available at Arbor Health as well as the employee scholarships available through the Arbor Health Foundation. They also held two open-interview events. The first was for nonclinical roles, ranging from Maintenance Department to clinic receptionist positions. The various managers were on-site to provide information on the positions and give tours of their departments. The second such event was limited to clinical positions and ran much the same way. By the end of the endeavor, they had made several job offers and brought on four new employees. Finally, we are looking for ways to “grow our own,” when possible. We had nine employee students enroll in the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program. With this, they are employed throughout the yearlong on-the-job training program. The Arbor Health team is at its strongest when it pulls together as one team with one mission. This team prides itself in working together to nurture a healthy community. Rising above the challenges in health care 2 MYARBORHEALTH.ORG
A year of great strides Arbor Health— Rapid Care Clinic This walk-in clinic functions much like an urgent care. It is designed to provide medical services for the patient with an illness or injury that does not require an emergency room visit—but can’t wait for an appointment with their primary care provider. It is currently open Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with future plans to be open daily. This new service has met a real need for access to medical care in East Lewis County, as noted in our patient growth since its late January opening. Fabiola Puga, MD Working in family medicine is a dream come true for Dr. Puga. She’s originally from Mexico—and has lived in England, New York, Florida and even Yakima for one year as a girl—but she’s super happy to be in East Lewis County now. She enjoys all aspects of family medicine and caring for all ages. “I went into medicine because of my love for science, and my passion to help people led me to family medicine,” she says. “I love all patient populations, but I am particularly keen on women’s health, elder care, prevention of diseases and wound care.” Dr. Puga works at the Morton Clinic and Morton Hospital. She is available for appointments at 360-496-5145. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. Jason Whitney, ARNP It almost feels too early to introduce nurse practitioner Jason Whitney, as he has yet to start his role as medical provider of the new Arbor Health–Packwood Clinic. Along with his medical assistant and the receptionist, he is eager to get started—it’s just remodeling delays on the building that are holding them back. In the meantime, we have kept him working full-time—filling in at the Morton Clinic before Dr. Puga’s arrival and then in the Randle Clinic, temporarily filling the vacant full-time provider position—until his own clinic opens. Whitney comes to Arbor Health with a wealth of experience in family medicine, pediatrics and emergency care—making him a great fit for a rural primary care clinic. Once the clinic opens, he will be available for appointments at 360-496-3777. Crystal Florek, ARNP Nurse practitioner Crystal Florek fills two roles for Arbor Health. She is a regularly scheduled provider in the Rapid Care Clinic and a women’s health provider in the Specialty Clinic. Both of these patient-care services are housed in the Morton Clinic building. Florek’s approach to patient care is based on helping her patients make the best health care decisions for themselves that they can. “The most rewarding thing I find about being a medical provider is shared decision-making,” she says. “I like allowing my patients to have some autonomy with their care, as each patient has individual needs and health care goals.” Florek can be reached for women’s health appointments by calling 360-496-3641. The Rapid Care Clinic does not take appointments. Patients seeking walk-in care January 14 February 63 March 82 April 86 May 81 June 179 July 260 August 240 September 246 October 250 November 304 December 221 531 Adams Ave., Morton, located in the Morton Clinic Building MYARBORHEALTH.ORG 3
Diagnostic imaging services X-rays 4,958 Ultrasounds 820 Mammograms 1,546 CT scans 2,275 MRIs 349 Nuclear medicine treatments 21 Financial health Gross patient revenues $51,155,005 Wages and salaries $21,394,211 Wages and salaries (including benefits) $25,356,715 Charity care $718,583 Employees (full-time and part-time positions) 240 By the numbers $ Specialty Clinic visits 4,917 Family medicine clinic visits 18,806 Surgical procedures 168 Emergency visits 5,299 Rapid Care Clinic visits 2,026 Wound care clinic visits 458 Rehab services visits 9,441 Scope procedures 257 Inpatient days 638 Behavioral health visits 937 Extended-Care Rehab days 1,145 Laboratory tests 49,368 Sleep studies 57 Observation admissions 181 Services MYARBORHEALTH.ORG 4
Packwood Clinic We leased part of the former Peter’s Inn building in Packwood for a new Arbor Health–Packwood Clinic. We initially planned for an opening in fall 2022. It was pushed back to January 2023, and then a countrywide supplychain problem extended the opening to spring 2023. As of this writing, we expect to open in April. Jason Whitney, ARNP, has been hired to be its medical provider, and we have hired the support staff. Morton Clinic ● Merrell Cooper, DO, retired after 29 years at Morton Clinic and Morton Hospital. ● We welcomed family medicine provider Fabiola Puga, MD. Rapid Care Clinic Arbor Health opened its first-ever walkin clinic (located in the Morton Clinic building). Randle Clinic We welcomed family medicine provider Jason Whitney, ARNP (temporarily, until Packwood Clinic opens in 2023). Specialty Clinic We welcomed women’s health provider Crystal Florek, ARNP. Morton Hospital We welcomed Nicholas Tyler-Hashemi, PharmD, as director of our Pharmacy Department and welcomed Amy Nielsen, CRNA, back to our team as Anesthesia Department manager. We promoted: ● Julie Johnson to Quality Department manager. ● Janice Kelly to Respiratory Therapy Department manager. ● Jennifer Neely, RN, to case manager. ● Jim Frey to director of Information Technology. ● Kim Barnett to Dietary supervisor. ● Brandi Bell from Environmental Services supervisor to Patient Access supervisor. ● Roxanne Morris to solo Environmental Services supervisor. Organization-wide We welcomed to our team: ● Matthew Lindstrom, CHFM, CHC, as chief facilities management officer. ● Will Sullivan as maintenance manager. ● Cheryl Cornwell as chief financial officer. Human Resources Department We held two open-interview events and enrolled nine student employees in the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program. Arbor Health Foundation We awarded $25,276 in educational scholarships to Arbor Health employees. Community Outreach ● We organized and sponsored the Mossyrock Independence Day 5K and 8K. ● We held drive-through flu-vaccination events in Packwood, Randle, Morton and Mossyrock. ● We visited graduating high schoolers in Morton, White Pass and Mossyrock to talk about hospital careers and scholarship opportunities. ● We kicked off a web-based Community Connection program to encourage community members to connect with each other for activities. Wellness Week We expanded our 2022 event to include: ● A 5K Color Run. ● Arbor Talks at the Roxy Theater (similar to online TED Talks), with topics ranging from local hiking opportunities to the effects of exercise on diabetes. ● Seventeen booths at the Health Expo at Morton Hospital. ● Themed days of encouraged activities. ● A photography contest. Accreditations ● Morton Hospital was reaccredited as a Critical Access Hospital through DNV. ● The Emergency Department was recertified as Acute Stroke Ready through DNV. ● The Sleep Lab’s accreditation through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine was renewed, as was its ranking as a Center of Excellence by the Washington State Health Authority. New and noteworthy in 2022 Arbor Health team members administered flu vaccines at drive-through clinics in Packwood, Randle, Morton and Mossyrock. The former Peter’s Inn building in Packwood is the site of the future Arbor Health–Packwood Clinic. Our 2022 Wellness Week of events included a 5K color run. A similar weeklong event is planned for August 2023. 5 MYARBORHEALTH.ORG
‘Thank you, all’ We receive hundreds of letters and written reviews each year from patients, across all departments. Here is a sample: ARBOR HEALTH FOUNDATION 521 Adams Ave. Morton, WA 98356 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla, WA Permit No. 44 Randle Clinic “This is the first time that a doctor has taken the time to actually talk to me and explain many things. I thought it was terrific. I’ve had very good experience with the new doctor.” Mossyrock Clinic “I have been going there for many years. I am very happy with what they do for me. They’re very helpful—they try to help me in all ways, although I don’t cooperate well. They try to work around the problems I do have. I highly recommend them. They’re good people.” Morton Clinic “My experiences at Arbor Health have been very good, with the doctors and nurses and anyone I have come in contact with being extremely polite and helpful.” Outpatient Services and Surgery Department “Appreciate having good hospital care in rural America. Kind, caring, efficient, professional. Thank you to all at Arbor Health–Morton Hospital.” Morton Hospital “Coming from Seattle, I am used to high-quality health care. After moving down here to Lewis County, I was amazed to find the quality comparable to the big city. But what really pleased me the most was the service. Everyone I have dealt with has been easy-going and so very happy to help. I can even find a parking space close to the entrance for my wife with mobility issues. I even switched medical providers so I didn’t have to go to Tacoma for regular care.” Rehabilitation Department “I went to the hospital after hip replacement, since I had been unable to walk for several months. I spent three months doing rehab to regain the ability to walk and prepare for a second hip replacement. The nursing staff, housekeeping and kitchen staff were terrific. All my needs were addressed and handled quickly. “Without the physical therapy unit, I would not be mobile and gaining strength and abilities more each day. I’m continuing with outpatient PT because the staff is well-trained, from the therapists to the office staff. They’re friendly and make me feel welcome. I have been to other therapists but none compare to Arbor Health Rehabilitation Services. I will continue to use their services now and any time in the future I need therapy. Thanks for everything.” Rapid Care “I’m very grateful that Arbor Health opened up. The Rapid Care Clinic has enabled me over the past couple weeks to be able to bring in family members when they needed it, instead of going to the expensive emergency room, and had better treatment with doctors that I’m familiar with.” ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE is brought to you by Arbor Health Foundation as a community service for the friends and patrons of ARBOR HEALTH, P.O. Box 1138, Morton, WA 98356, telephone 360-496-5112. Information in ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE 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. 2023 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Working to meet the health care needs of East Lewis County, we added a Rapid Care Clinic out of the Morton Clinic building. The clinic is open Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with future plans to be open daily.
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