Lewis County News March 18, 2020
PRSRT STD ECRWSS
US. Postage Paid Winlock, WA 98596 Permit No. 5
Covering rural communities in Southwest Washington since 1967
Around Lewis County
A conversation with Valley View Health Center’s CEO The evidence regarding the coronavirus dictates caution, but not panic. ~ Valley View Health Center’s CEO Gaelon Spradley By Rebecca Chaffee Gaelon Spradley, as CEO of the Valley View Health Center, I’m anxious to talk to you about your response to a potential local coronavirus outbreak. But first let’s talk about Valley View. How many Valley View Health Centers are there and where are they located? We have 13 clinics located in three counties. We serve Lewis County, Thurston County, and Pacific County. Valley View is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center. What does that mean? And who do you serve? Valley View is a nonprofit provider of health services, medical, dental and behavioral health. Our focus is serving rural communities and also low income and special needs individuals. Federally qualified health centers may also focus on other underserved groups, such as new citizens, immigrants or the homeless. We qualify for federal healthcare subsidies. In the past communities have depended on doctors in private practice. These practices are disappearing in small towns and we are trying to fill that void. Valley View’s focus is on primary health care. Could you describe the types of care that entails? Primary health care is the new name for what was
called family medicine 30 years ago and general practice before that. Primary health care providers see newborns and the elderly and everyone in between. They handle acute medicine, which includes injuries like lacerations and infections such as the flu. They also help patients manage a full range of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension. In urban settings a patient typically sees a primary care provider before going to a specialist. Rural communities rely on primary care providers to provide comprehensive services in the absence of specialists. Are you coordinating with the Centralia General Hospital and the Lewis County Health Department? We are working closely with the county health departments and also with the state Department of Health, who is under tremendous pressure from the national attention Washington is receiving, because of our status as the center of the country’s largest and most severe coronavirus outbreak. We are working closely with hospitals in Lewis County. Have the number of patient calls and clinic visits increased with the concerns about the coronavirus? We are receiving more calls, but the number has not been overwhelming. In preparation for significantly more calls, we are developing more telephone triage
resources. What medical staff do you have in Lewis County? Do they have training to deal with a local outbreak? In addition to our dental and behavioral health providers, we have four medical providers serving the Lewis County community. They are supported by our nurses, medical assistants, and medical receptionists. We have developed protocols and are training our staff and providers to take care of patients in our community should there be a local outbreak. All patients are screened for symptoms of coronavirus and asked about their contact history when they call or come to the clinic. Our goal is to ensure patients get the care they need while preventing spread of the virus. Patients with flu-like symptoms including cough and fever are asked to stay home. But if they come to clinic they may be asked to wait in their car to be evaluated. If they arrive by public transportation or on foot, we immediately place them in a room to avoid contact with the people in the clinic waiting area. If a patient with no underlying or chronic illnesses calls and describes covid-19 like symptoms, which are similar to the common cold or flu, what do you tell them? What do you tell someone with chronic health problems or an older patient? We’ve worked with our staff to help them remain the voice of calm and reason when responding to worried patients. We remind people that it is still the flu season. It is much more likely that they are suffering from the See CEO Page 8
Volunteers in Winlock cleaning up in 2014.
Bringing Winlock back together By Lynnette Hoffman The Winlock City Council is looking for volunteers to help the City of Winlock and other volunteer organizations. Winlock has seen volunteers disappear these past few years and the council would like your help in bringing Winlock back. Volunteers are needed for Winlock, whether it’s the Winlock Park Board, the Lions Club, or the Winlock Improvement Network, your help is needed. In the 60s and 70s, until the 2000s, Winlock had a busy downtown core, every building was full. Back in the 70s, we had a Safeway, Ben Franklin, and Rexall Drug Store. If you can imagine it, all the streets were filled with people shopping, enjoying time with their families, and lots of laughter. It was the people who made Winlock and it is the people again, who can bring Winlock back. Now, fast forward 40 years, we have more citizens, but less businesses and volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of every community, whether you have talents in computers, gardening or even handling a paint brush, we need your help. Whether you are new to the community or lived here for decades, we all want Winlock to come back. Winlock City Councilor Lonnie Dowell stated, “Volunteers are the cornerstone of
what makes Winlock Great. Park volunteers ensuring that Winolequa Park is ready to support the Easter Egg Hunt, Music Festival and sporting events throughout the year; the skate park repairs and upgrades; Lions Club hosting numerous events for back to school and Christmas; WIN Group putting up Christmas lights; garbage pickup along the streets; numerous sports coaches ensuring the children have places and games to play; neighbors helping neighbors and the list just keeps going on and on. Volunteer Park has been named in honor of them all. They have huge hearts and deep desire to make positive changes that impact us all. So if you are part of any organization or club that gives time and energy to making a difference in Winlock in any way shape or form, you have my sincere thanks and full support. Winlock wouldn’t be the same without you.” Anne Randt stated, “I have been on Winlock City Council since 2018, concerned with helping to make improvements to our city for our citizens. The current council is now working together toward that goal, we are able to agree to disagree and still accomplish issues for the benefit of the city and citizens. Winlock City Council is seeking citizens help and input for obtaining volunteers for the City Park Department. See winlock Page 8