Continuing to reimagine emergency care
We are profoundly grateful to our donors, volunteers and staff for our shared achievement as we reach the final stretch of the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign for PeaceHealth Southwest. As the largest fundraising effort in Clark County’s history, this campaign is monumental for our community.
With Phase I completed, our rooms are larger and more efficient, providing an enhanced environment for patient care. However, we still have the same number of treatment spaces until Phase II of our project is complete. At that time, we will significantly increase our capacity with many more rooms, alleviating capacity issues. We are excited to say that increased capacity is coming very soon, thanks to the generosity of our donors!
We appreciate your partnership and support, which has been crucial to our progress. Together, we’ve made significant strides toward our vision for this important project. However, we still have $4.9 million to raise to fully realize the impact of reimagining emergency care.
As we look ahead, we humbly ask for your continued partnership to help us complete this campaign. Every donation and act of support brings us closer to establishing effective emergency care that serves all members of our community. Let us continue this journey together, making the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign a shining example of what our community can achieve when we unite for a common purpose.
Completion of Phase II improvements include:
An additional 25 treatment areas, increasing treatment areas from 52 to 77.
A 24-bed observation unit dedicated to caring for patients who need further assessment.
Six additional nursing stations, bringing the total to nine.
Five trauma rooms, up from two, ensuring trauma patients receive care quickly and efficiently.
A total of eight ambulance bays, up from two.
Addition of a new, dedicated Clinical Education Room for caregivers.
Designed for better patient care
With the completion of Phase I, we continue to operate in a space with limited patient rooms. While the number of treatment spaces will not increase until the completion of Phase II — when we can make full use of the existing Emergency Department (ED) and open the Observation Unit — the improvements have shifted the atmosphere in the ED from chaos to calm. By eliminating hallway treatments, standardizing spaces and implementing a more efficient layout, we have made great strides in improving the overall care environment.
Despite these advancements, the necessity for the Healthcare Reimagined project has become particularly clear during this severe flu and respiratory season. Clark County experienced an unprecedented flu rate this year, affecting 35% of the population, the highest in the nation. At one point, this surge resulted in 280-290 visits to the Emergency Department each day, compared to an average of 240, underscoring the urgent need for the completion of Phase II of this project to reach our full potential. Made possible by generous donors like you, the improvements made through the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign are essential for addressing the ongoing needs of our community.
— Rainy & Richard Atkins, Jo Marie & Steve Hansen, and David & Patricia Nierenberg
Trauma in the ED
As the only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Washington, we provide vital 24-hour trauma care with specialists in emergency medicine, general surgery, radiology and additional specialty services. This comprehensive approach enables us to deliver definitive care to all injured patients. The demand for trauma care is significant. Last year, PeaceHealth Southwest treated 2,769 trauma patients, with 270 of those cases requiring full trauma activation.
In trauma situations, every second is vital. The addition of trauma rooms and standardized spaces has proven to be impactful. In the first 30 days of operating in our new Emergency Department (ED) space, our trauma team achieved their goal of a 20-minute average from full activation time to CT scans, marking a significant improvement from previous performance. This progress is a testament of how the new space is already enhancing care for our most critical patients.
Campaign gift highlight Rick Takach & Kari Jonassen
I had a very sick trauma patient recently with numerous severe orthopedic injuries and severe burns. Because the new trauma bays are so large, the entire trauma team, ED team and paramedic crew were able to convene in the room together to communicate efficiently about the patient and perform lifesaving procedures without team members bumping into each other or getting underfoot. This made for a seamless trauma response with our colleagues. In the old department, trauma bays were small, and such responses were therefore loud, chaotic and stressful. The new large trauma bays make managing sick trauma victims much easier.
— Joshua Hurwitz, MD, Emergency Department Physician
Rooted in the belief that excellent healthcare is critical to a thriving community, Rick Takach and Kari Jonassen made an early show of support to the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign with their $1 million gift. This substantial donation was one of the leading gifts propelling the campaign forward.
After years of moving due to Rick’s hotel industry career and a desire to find a community to call home, Rick settled in Vancouver. For Rick, creating a home went beyond establishing
a business and a residence; it meant actively participating in and enhancing the community around him. His involvement in several local boards eventually led him to the PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation, where he currently serves as Board President.
The Healthcare Reimagined Campaign resonated with Rick’s vision for a healthier community. Reflecting on his decision, Rick stated, “This was probably the most important thing I’ve ever contributed to.” His choice to make such a significant donation was not taken lightly. “I really had to think about it because this is the biggest contribution to a nonprofit that I’ve ever made,” he admitted. For Rick, quality medical care is a cornerstone of a thriving community. Without it, residents are forced to seek care elsewhere, undermining the sense of community that he cherishes. For Rick and Kari, their visionary support not only bolstered healthcare in our community, but also served as a catalyst inspiring others to join them in reimagining healthcare.
2024 Cascade Dinner - celebrating your generosity
On Sept. 5, 2024, the AC Marriott was filled with excitement as the 2024 Cascade Dinner donor appreciation event welcomed an impressive 174 attendees. This uplifting evening honored the generosity of our donors, many of whom have contributed to the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign, which was a focal point throughout the night. The progress we have achieved is a testament to the support from our community, and this was duly acknowledged during the event.
The program included heartfelt speeches emphasizing the profound effect of philanthropy on the PeaceHealth Mission. The event also featured the presentation of our annual Sister Andrea Nenzel awards, recognizing the outstanding partnership from our honorees and the contributions they have made to the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign.
As we look back on this extraordinary evening and the incredible generosity displayed, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors, board members and supporters for their dedication and enthusiasm.
Your contributions create a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
Scan the QR code to watch the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign video shared at the Cascade Dinner!
Rick Sanders (center) on behalf of the PeaceHealth Southwest Facilities and Construction Team
For more information about Healthcare Reimagined, please contact:
Karen Santangelo, CFRE Chief Philanthropy Officer ksantangelo@peaceheatlh.org
360-514-3670
Heather McEvoy, MBA Director of Philanthropy
hmcevoy@peaceheatlh.org 360-514-3634
2024 Sister Andrea Nenzel Community Honorees
Ron and Terry Prill
2024 Sister Andrea Nenzel Caregiver Honorees