Why the Spokane area is unique for health care Convergence of many factors leads to high employment, delivery options
One interesting progarm at Providence is BEST, which teaches parents, families, and caregivers proven ways to influence and promote positive behavior.
By Kate Miner Marketing Correspondent
H
ealth care is one of the fastest-growing industries in the Inland Northwest. We’ve become a regional hub for health services, with thousands of jobs and a diverse, extensive combination of hospitals, research facilities, labs, schools, and clinics. It is home to the Washington State University Medical School and a joint venture between the University of Washington and Gonzaga University. Medical professionals provide care throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho, even Eastern Montana and Northeastern Oregon. Spokane and Kootenai County have been recognized as top places to live, and a lot of that has to do with health care access. The UW
Medical Center has been ranked as one of the best of its kind, and there are numerous resources to ensure residents receive quality care. Regional hospitals and medical facilities are well-equipped, and the doctor-to-patient ratio is above the U.S. average. “Spokane has a highly sophisticated health care network,” says Spokane Regional Health District Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velázquez. “Public health works at that same high level when convening, collaborating, working pro-actively with stakeholders and knowing when we’re needed to engage for the benefit of our community’s well-being.” The health care industry, however, has been facing significant financial and staffing challenges, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are solid
examples where the future looks encouraging. An apprenticeship program offered by CHAS Health is a great example of how the community comes together to train future professionals. It’s a unique, earnwhile-you-learn program blending formal education and on-the-job training in a clinical environment.
Partnering with peers within the health care community, such as Providence, plus ESL programs, immigration personnel, and the Community Health Association, CHAS started working with Washington’s Labor and Industries in 2016 to launch its apprenticeship program. In 2024 CHAS will open a 91,700-square-foot training facility called the CHAS Health Learning Institute, offering telehealth
capabilities for students from rural areas. It also includes a partnership with Eastern Washington University to provide scholarships and tuition reimbursement. MultiCare, another provider, has identified opportunities to increase efficiency while providing superior care, by embracing technology. Clinical services are offered virtually and in person and have expanded to include endocrinology and OBGYN. MultiCare Deaconess Hospital has also launched a pilot program incorporating virtual nurses for hospitalized patients. This helps free up in-person care teams. In 2023 MultiCare became the region’s first hospital to introduce Moxi, a 4-foot, 6-inch selfpropelled robot which performs basic chores traditionally handled by nurses like delivering lab
Courtesy Providence
samples and picking up supplies or medicine. “Deaconess is incorporating technology and innovative solutions to address nurse staffing shortages,” says Jennifer Graham, Deaconess Hospital’s Nurse Executive. “Our goal is to allow every nurse to practice at the top of their training. Ultimately, this creates an environment that allows nurses to thrive and do what they love, which is caring for patients.” Providence is one of the region’s largest health care providers, serving patients across Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, regardless of ability to pay. In 2022, its total benefit to the Inland Northwest, including investments in strategic partnerships, health research, subsidized health services, and free or discounted care, totaled $189 million.