Sequim Gazette, November 18, 2015

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For the kids

Studying the peninsula’s precipitation

Seasonal sounds Artist sets release of new holiday album

B&G Clubs’ 2015 auction raises $320K

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SEQUIM GAZETTE www

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015

Sequim’s Hometown Newspaper

com

75 CENTS

Vol. 42, Number 46

OMC grapples with growing health care demands Challenges felt on local, national levels by ALANA LINDEROTH and MICHAEL DASHIELL

Available positions widely vary from, but aren’t limited to, medical Sequim Gazette assistants, registered nurses, an accountant, housekeepers and a psyThe demand for health care is chiatrist to an orthopedic surgeon. The numbers of doctors entering growing, yet more than 80 positions remain unfilled at Olympic Medical the medical field aren’t keeping pace with the increasing demand, leavCenter.

ing a “huge” shortage in areas like primary care, according to Eric Lewis, Olympic Medical Center chief executive officer. “There is a national LEWIS shortage in health care providers and that creates a competitive situation,” Lewis said. OMC, also known as Clallam

County Public Hospital District No. 2, provides inpatient and outpatient services in Clallam County and is a designated sole community hospital and rural referral center by Medicare. An 80-bed acute-care hospital, level-three trauma designated emergency department, surgical services and labor and delivery fall under the umbrella of OMC centered in Port Angeles.

Additionally, OMC provides a variety of outpatient services such as physical therapy, laboratory, nutrition and diabetes, home health, primary care, a walk-in clinic and cancer care in both Port Angeles and Sequim.

A growing demand

As a rural medical center, OMC

See OMC, A-8

Pick of the Pioneers

Bob Stipe and Louie Rychlik, secretary and treasurer for the Museum & Arts Center’s board of trustees, stand inside the Dungeness Schoolhouse’s new elevator. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Sequim’s own all-access schoolhouse New elevator ready for annual Christmas Tea by MATTHEW NASH

Sequim Irrigation Festival’s 2016 dignitaries are, from left, Honorary Pioneers Jo Robb and Milton Lynch, and Grand Pioneers William Blank and Mayme Faulk. The festival runs May 6-15, 2016. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Sequim Gazette

The Dungeness Schoolhouse is now fully accessible to visitors of all ages and levels of mobility. Volunteers recently learned that the schoolhouse’s new elevator lift received its necessary permits for operation. Gone are the days of using the chairlift, aka “Galloping Gerdy” known for shaking halfway up the stairs and taking three round trips before stopping for the day. Volunteers said the limited access to the second floor has deterred many

See SCHOOLHOUSE, A-6

Sequim Museum & Arts Center’s Christmas Tea When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5-6 Where: Dungeness Schoolhouse, 2781 Towne Road Includes: Free Victorian Tea, Christmas gift sale, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, car show, tours and more More info: sequimmuseum@olypen.com, sequimmuseum.com, 681-2257 (leave message)

Sequim Irrigation Fest, Pioneer Association pick 2016 dignitaries by MATTHEW NASH

year’s Grand Pioneers William Blank and Mayme Faulk and Honorary Pioneers Milton Lynch and Jo Robb. They’ll help represent Sequim at the 121st It’s never too early to show some pride in festival running May 6-15, 2016, with the your hometown. The Sequim Irrigation Festival and Sequim tagline “Looking to the Future through the Pioneer Association recently announced next Past.” Sequim Gazette

Blank and Faulk were born and raised in Sequim while Lynch and Robb have lived in the Sequim area more than 40 years each as required by the Pioneer Association to be considered for the honors.

See PIONEERS, A-12

PUD’s new Carlsborg HQ opens Tuesday Co-op to host payment center weekdays

The Sequim PUD Customer Service building on Still Road will close on the afternoon of Nov. 20 as services will move to the new headquarters in Carlsborg, which opens on Nov. 24. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 104 Hooker Road, with the Sequim customer service building at 502 S. Still Road and Port Angeles headquarters at 2431 E. U.S. Highway Sequim Gazette staff 101, closing at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Clallam PUD’s new head“We are excited about the quarters is set to open next new efficiencies this will week in Carlsborg. See PUD, A-4 The main office opens

Sports B-5 • Schools B-8 • Arts & Entertainment B-1 • Opinion A-10 • Obituaries A-9 • Classifieds C-1 • Crossword Section C

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