Submitted by the Orcas Medical Foundation Board

UW Medicine and Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) are pleased to announce that we are working in partnership to ensure access to quality primary medical care at the Orcas Medical Center through the creation of a UW Medicine clinic on Orcas Island.

UW Medicine and the OMF Board will rapidly begin development of a transition plan for a new clinic model. An important component of the transition will include a robust community dialogue, including an assessment of the healthcare needs of island residents and identification of sustainable financial support. Key to the partnership’s success will be the development of a sustainable finance plan for both the short-term and long-term operations of the clinic. To facilitate a smooth transition, leadership at Island Hospital has agreed to continue current operations through June of 2017.

In making this commitment, UW Medicine specifically recognized the strong level of enthusiasm and support from the Orcas Island community. OMF and UW Medicine thank the Orcas Island community for its generous financial support for the campaign and its commitment to bring UW Medicine’s knowledge, experience and expertise to Orcas Island.

“The OMF Board and fund raising committee are truly grateful for the significant community support,” said Catherine Henderson, Chair of the Board of the Orcas Medical Foundation. “We very much look forward to providing progress updates on a regular basis as we move forward in this process,” she continued.

“UW Medicine is uniquely situated to partner with the OMF Board on an innovative, sustainable rural health clinic on Orcas Island,” said Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine. “This is an unchartered endeavor for UW Medicine with outstanding possibilities. We will need the community’s ongoing support to help us realize its full potential. We are eager to get to work.”