LopezRocks - Item

I've been on Lopez for almost 11 years. I was the Hospital District Superintendent for 3 years (2022-2024), I've been a firefighter and EMT since 2016, and I currently work at the Lopez Clinic.

For the last 8 years, our Clinic partner UW Medicine has worked to adapt to our island needs in collaboration with CWMA, LIHD, and Lopez Fire & EMS. I know first hand how each of these entities have been working together (or sometimes not). We have gone through unexpected provider transitions and other difficult situations, but at the same time there has been the creation of an incredible team of Clinic staff that I have personally seen bend over backwards time and time again to support this community in their healthcare needs. Often this incredible staff has been taken for granted. There have been rumors and falsehoods spread about UW Medicine, the work done at the Clinic, and how patients are treated. I have heard these rumors being spread by community members who rarely set foot in the Clinic, much less utilize it for their own primary care. The same could be said about comments directed towards the District Commissioners by people who have never attended any of the public meetings. Maybe these are simple results of miscommunication, so I would ask that you do your own research and verify facts before jumping to a conclusion.

Now that UW has made the decision to not renew their contracts, both LIHD and CWMA are working to find a solution to this challenge again, and we've been told that there are 5 interested partners already along with separate discussions researching the possibility of an independent clinic.

I feel that the individuals most qualified to lead us through this transition once again are the current, experienced Hospital District Commissioners who have been directly involved in the recent operations of the Clinic. I worked closely with each of the current elected Commissioners in my role as Superintendent. As members of the Finance Committee, Albert Berger and Steve Greenstein not only have secured a significant reserve fund, they also led us through the challenge of the levy lid, and were key advocates of the recently passed multi year Levy Lid Lift (which Lopez voters approved in November 2023). That Levy Lid Lift allows the District to be in a much more sustainable financial position to maintain and improve healthcare on Lopez Island. Without that lift, we would not have been able to support the Hamlet House or the Dentall van, or be prepared to potentially support the pharmacy or other services as needed. This current challenge would look a lot more dire had that Levy Lid Lift not passed. These Commissioners have considered the benefit of this community and the challenges of our geography and limited resources in every decision.

Anyone who truly knows me would say that I definitely do not fear change, and in fact I generally welcome it. In this case, it is my very strong opinion that both Albert Berger and Steve Greenstein are truly worthy of continuing their roles with the LIHD and I trust that they always have and always will have the best interests of our community in mind.