WGH welcomes new oncologist
Whidbey General Hospital’s Oncology Program announced this week its newest oncologist, Dr. Wendy Wang.
Wang comes to the Coupeville hospital after completing her medical oncology fellowship at the University of Washington-Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester, N.Y. and holds a doctorate’s degree in microbiology and immunology.
Hospital officials said with the addition of Wang to the staff, the Medical Ambulatory Care/Oncology Clinic will be resuming three days a week of on-site medical oncology support.
Wang will see patients on Tuesdays starting the week of July 14. Dr. Mark Coughenour will see patients on Mondays and Dr. Peter Jiang will see patients on Wednesdays.
School board looks at enrollment drop
South Whidbey School Board members examined the budget for the upcoming year at their workshop Wednesday.
South Whidbey schools are facing a continuing decline in enrollment figures.
The district ended the year with a total average of 1,808 students; each represents $5,200 in funding from the state.
In 2008-2009, the number is projected to drop to 1,730 students, for a loss of roughly $405,000.
That reduction in funding required staffing changes. The district will operate next year with five fewer teachers and seven fewer certificated staffers — secretaries, one cook and an educational program for which grant money is no longer available.
“Provided we budget conservatively, the district can weather this situation,” said district business manager Dan Poolman. “Hopefully, the number of students will be higher than predicted, but we can’t count on that.”
Clinton Hall hosts candidates forum
The Clinton Progressive Association will host a candidates night next month featuring candidates in the race for Island County commissioner.
The forum is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 with candidates Republican Phil Bakke, no-party candidate Curt Gordon, Democrat Helen Price Johnson and Republican Reece Rose. It will be held at Clinton Community Hall.
Hot dogs will be served preceding the forum from 6 to 6:45 p.m., courtesy of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact info@clintoncommuntyhall.org or visit www.clintoncommunityhall.org.
