LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the San Juan Island Public Hospital District August 27, 2025 meeting.
In public comment Dr. Fishhaut asked the commissioners to think about how the senior community might play a role in meeting the childcare challenge for working families. Evan Perrolaz introduced the new community paramedicine nurse who is meeting with partners and will be full-time starting at the end of September.
The Peace Island Medical Center Director gave the Jan-June 2025 report. They are getting a new CT scanner and a new physical therapist can do pelvic floor therapy. They had a 22% increase in outpatient surgeries and fewer emergency room visits, possibly because with an additional physician more patients have accessed care via scheduled appointments rather than via the Emergency room. They have also done more imaging, exams, lab draws and infusions. The Commission approved the six-month PIMC subsidy payment for $647k. The commissioners asked about the challenges of transport to and from the emergency room during night hours.
Superintendent Butler walked the commissioners through the new financial reporting format that the financial director and board finance committee have been working on. The commission approved the revised 2025 budget; finances have improved over the course of the year.
The Village at the Harbor has steady occupancy and with increased staff will stop needing temporary staffing. The Village at Home will see Medicaid billing go live September 2. After losing two main clients and some staff in August, they have interviewed several new caretakers and will be onboarding 5-6 new clients, with inquiries increasing, so they expect to see activity stepping up a level. The new community paramedicine nurse will be reviewing the referral process with community partners.
The Community Collaborative Community looked at key issues impacting health in the county: housing, mental health care, and food security. The finance committee is looking at creating specific budget lines for personnel and capital budgets. The commissioners appointed Rick Frazer and Gail Lehman Seitz to the committee working on a grant application for planning to build a community network encompassing the three county public hospital districts and the County Health Department.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.