By GREG RICHARDSON
Ten years ago, I never would have imagined seeking public office or being elected to the Board of Commissioners for WhidbeyHealth, but entering my third and final year of service I have something to say and please spread this good news. Everyone living on this “rock” or visiting has the right to be proud of a health care system that almost collapsed under poor money management and lack of competent leadership.
Many of you remember the uncertainty and drama with the potential for our rural public hospital district to close. Hidden in plain sight from the outstanding members of the medical providers and dedicated support staff were senior management decisions that endangered the integrity and longevity of this 50-year-old community health care system. Those days are over for WhidbeyHealth, despite virtually all the same challenges to U.S. health care remaining.
Perhaps that sounds confusing or even contradictory to you as a reader. In fact, it’s vitally important for every member of our community to understand and accept that WhidbeyHealth is empowered by you to serve the community needs amid the constraints it faces in delivering quality care services.
The challenge is to “develop and maintain the best possible health system that meets the most immediate needs of our island population for the least amount of money provided by limited tax revenues, insurance and patient payments.” While simple to write, it’s a bit harder to execute. Unfortunately, many expect WhidbeyHealth to have all the same resources, both financial and personnel, as a major city health system. By charter, we are a Critical Access Hospital limited to 25 beds, only required to have an Emergency Department, and with an average stay in the hospital of 96 hours. Any other services provided are a bonus to our community.
That brings us to our actual Mission Statement, which is: “To provide for the health and well-being of our Whidbey Island community at every stage of life through compassionate care that addresses the unique needs of each person we serve.” We are hell bent on achieving that while being the best possible stewards of scarce resources, especially dollars.
I hope to speak for the entire 700+ person team that the significant investments made in recent years will make WhidbeyHealth more capable of serving our community and be appreciated for the services and results they deliver. Led by a dedicated executive team with an experienced CEO and CFO, WhidbeyHealth has grown with a focus on access to care over the last 1-2 years. Almost 50 new providers have been recruited including an oncologist, a orologist, an entire OB/GYN team for the new Women’s Center, two orthopedists, behavioral health professionals and three general surgeons. A total of three primary care clinics and three walk-in clinics have been opened supported by an expanding group of family practitioners.
Renovations to the hospital have touched almost every corner with the ED, OR and reception nearing their facelifts in 2025. Add to that a 2-year project to upgrade the entire medical records system for managing all patient information. Our phone system is the next priority upgrade, and we appreciate the frustration people have felt when timely connections or responses were not made.
As the largest private employer in the county, there are more moving parts, more risks to control and more financial realities than you may realize. But everyone involved is dedicated to making it the best rural health system in the state. We will never be perfect or satisfy every need in any given situation, but we are here for you and strive to achieve our stated vision: “Trusted to deliver exceptional health care and meaningful patient experiences.”
In closing, don’t expect flawless service, but everyone is trying their best for you.
Greg Richardson is a 12-year resident of Whidbey Island and currently District 4 Commissioner. He retired as a senior partner from ForVis Mazars, a global CPA Firm, and previously retired as a Lt. Col. from the U.S.A.F. after serving in the 1991 Gulf War with about 4,300 flight hours mostly in the F-15 Eagle.
