First New Medical School in Pacific Northwest in 60 Years

If you're interested in receiving news about the latest physician opportunities at Memorial , you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Publication: Business Wire
Date: Thursday, May 17 2007

YAKIMA, Wash. — The shovels of soil turned today represent a significant advancement toward improving access to health care for the people of the Pacific Northwest.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held to launch construction of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU), the first medical school in 60 years to be built in the Pacific Northwest. The school and campus are located in the Terrace Heights area.

The 48,000-square-foot, two-story facility housing PNWU’s first school, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, is scheduled for completion in July 2008, with the first class of medical students expected to begin studies in September 2008. The college will offer a rigorous, four-year medical degree program to train primary care physicians.

“This ceremony inaugurates more than a building,” said Dr. Lloyd Butler, DO, chairman of the board of trustees. “Today, we begin building a new university, one dedicated to health, healing and scientific medical care.”

The university’s top priority is to prepare new doctors for the medically underserved five states of the Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, according to Fred Tinning, PhD, president of the university.

He points to statistics that dramatically illustrate the need for more physicians, particularly in rural areas of the Northwest.

“In the state of Washington, 38 of 39 counties are classified as medically underserved. In Oregon, 97 percent of counties are designated as health professional shortage areas. The federal government has determined Idaho, Montana and Alaska are also medically underserved. In Alaska, fully 50 percent of current physicians are over 55 and like many rural physicians, approaching retirement, which will fuel the access problem further,” said Dr. Tinning.

“Osteopathic physicians provide family-oriented primary care, with approximately 65 percent specializing in areas such as pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology,” Dr. Tinning said. “Such physicians have a vital role in the rural health care system.” Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), along with MDs, attend four-year medical schools and

“Osteopathic physicians provide family-oriented primary care, with approximately 65 percent specializing in areas such as pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology,” Dr. Tinning said. “Such physicians have a vital role in the rural health care system.” Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), along with MDs, attend four-year medical schools and are licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery in all 50 states. University officials feel it is critical to train students where the greatest need exists. Until now, the Pacific Northwest has been the only location in the country without a college of osteopathic medicine.

“The American Osteopathic Association is pleased to welcome Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences as one of our newest colleges of osteopathic medicine,” said John Crosby, executive director of the American Osteopathic Association. “PNWU graduates will soon be bringing to the Yakima community and the U.S. Northwest the highest-quality health care using the unique and distinctive methods that osteopathic physicians can provide.”

“If we take students from the Pacific Northwest, train them in the Pacific Northwest, they will be more likely to stay in the Pacific Northwest and take care of the people in the Pacific Northwest,” explained Dr. Butler.

A desire to practice in rural communities, particularly in the Northwest, will be part of the selection process used by PNWU in evaluating students. “We will have a preferential admission policy with first choice given to the highly qualified students from our five-state region,” said Dr. William Betz, DO, vice president/chief academic officer and dean.

The school is dedicated to offering affordable tuition rates and developing community-based scholarship programs for students. As part of the four-year program, students must complete both classroom instruction and clinical training programs. PNWU will work with rural and small community hospitals, training students in the environment in which they will ultimately practice, Dr. Betz said. More than 150 rural physicians already have expressed interest in hosting students for clinical rotation and 17 health care facilities have signed on as clinical training sites.

“We are devoted to training new generations of doctors who will serve the needs of the medically underserved,” said Tim Morris, vice president and chief operating officer for PNWU. The officers of the university completed an initial feasibility study in 2006, according to Morris. PNWU has been granted authority from the Higher Education Coordinating Board of Washington State to confer the medical degree Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The university has also received pre-accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA). Until granted appropriate status by AOA COCA, PNWU cannot actively recruit students or provide counsel regarding admissions.

The building inaugurated today is a $16 million state-of-the-art facility offering classroom space, a library, a simulated patient training laboratory, an interactive video teaching lab, basic science anatomy lab, physical diagnosis teaching performance labs, and faculty offices as well as computer and study space. PNWU plans to work cooperatively with other local training institutions, encouraging nursing and other allied health programs to use the simulation and anatomy labs when not occupied for physician training. Dr. Tinning and university leaders have been meeting with other Northwest universities and community colleges to determine the best ways to collaborate. PNWU has already received nearly 300 letters of support from regional leaders and physicians.

The university is being developed on a 42.5 acre parcel of land. The Temple family donated $7.2 million worth of land, representing over half of the total university site complex. The Temples are one of the major founding benefactors of the university and are owners of the Columbia Basin Railroad Company. PNWU has been founded as a 501c3 not-for-profit private university and will continue to seek contributions and financial support from a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the health care system.

Why Yakima?

“The leadership, vision and commitment of founding physicians, health care professionals and community leaders have made this university possible,” Dr. Butler said. “PNWU works very well here because Yakima is centrally located in the region and is familiar with the health care access challenges rural communities face.”

Dr. Butler continued, “It’s an incredible testament to the Yakima community — to catch the vision and support this institution without waiting for the state or federal government to do it for them. This is happening only as a result of significant local and regional community efforts.”

Adds David McFadden, president of New Vision, the Yakima County Development Association, “This project offers exceptional benefits for the entire region. Undoubtedly this university will present tremendous economic impact in Yakima, but more significantly, communities and people throughout the five-state region will benefit with improved access to medical care by having more physicians in historically underserved areas.”

Orthopedic Foot and Ankle

Hospitalist Program Director Jobs

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Medical Director is responsible for providing medical leadership to the Hospitalist Program, (Program). He/she is specifically responsible for the clinical matters of the Program, as well as overall medical management. The Medical Director is the designated Hospitalist leader representing the Program to staff, patients, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, (YVMH) and the community.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Licensed physician in the State of Washington.

· Member in good standing of the YVMH Medical Staff.

· Extensive training and/or experience in hospital medicine.

· Board Certification in Internal Medicine

· Career interest in hospital medicine and medical administration

· Medical management experience preferable in a Hospitalist Program

· Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification

· Superior communication skills and demonstrated ability to successful interact effectively with physicians, hospital management, staff, patients and the community.

ACCOUNTABLE TO

YVMH Vice President for Physician Practices

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Operational Management

o Assure Program compliance with all applicable licensure, regulatory and legal requirements and standards including JCAH, Medicare and Medicaid and other governmental agencies.

o Work closely with the Vice President for Physician Practices to achieve the Hospitalist Program’s and YVMH goals and strategic direction.

o Provide overall medical leadership to all members associated with the Program.

o Hold regular documented meetings with Program providers to discuss systems/patient flow, quality, improvement in scheduling, and patient and physician relationships.

o Hold regular meetings with the YVMH interdisciplinary support staff team to coordinate patient care and seek input regarding Program enhancements, efficiencies and clinical quality related initiatives.

o Responsible for negotiating Program physician employment contracts and assuring compliance with the terms and conditions.

o In conjunction with administration, develop and monitor Program financial budgets and performance.

o Negotiate Program professional services contract with YVMH.

o Regularly assess YVMH medical staff perceptions and Program needs to ensure a harmonious working relationship, provide leadership to practitioners resulting in overall Program improvement by

§ Encouraging teamwork and participation

§ Recruiting highly qualified providers for the Program.

§ Assisting in any necessary face-to-face or phone interviews, placement, counseling, and/or termination of physicians.

§ Orienting new providers and monitoring their ongoing compliance with policies and procedures

§ Coordinating provider scheduling to ensure efficiency and maximum productivity.

§ Being responsible for receiving, investigating, and settling complaints or questions of policy concerning and/or raised by medical providers.

§ Reviewing, investigating, managing, and reporting all complaints concerning physician staff arising from patients, medical staff, or YVMH administration.

§ Providing clinical leadership and overall supervision to all Program physicians and staff.

§ Interceding in and providing counseling, retraining, direction, and discipline to Program medical providers regarding clinical, contract and productivity issues.

o Provide direct patient care in Program at least 8 shifts per month.

o Conduct ongoing monitoring of compliance with YVMH risk management and quality assurance programs

o Assist in the professional development and growth of each individual provider.

o Work cooperatively and supportively with YVMH administration and physicians to ensure services are available and cost effective, meeting quality and regulatory guidelines.

o Interact with the YVMH medical staff and specialists to ensure appropriate and timely patient care, patient transfers and patient referrals.

o Interact closely with YVMH and MAY administration to develop goals and ongoing assessment of achieving objectives.

o Provides direction to the Program Practice Administrator and works collaboratively to efficiently and effectively manage the program.

· Marketing

o Assist in the development and implementation of marketing and public relations plans.

o Promote/ensure patient satisfaction in all areas of patient care delivery.

o Represent the Program at requested community functions, presentations, and meetings/forums.

· Quality Improvement

o Assist with development and maintenance of continuous quality improvement programs ensuring:

§ Monitoring and supporting quality improvement plan and peer review processes,

§ Continuous monitoring and assurance of compliance of physician quality care/safety programs.

o Assist in development, coordination, and completion of educational programs for providers, staff, patients, and community.

· Other

Responsible for other duties that may be defined in the bylaws of the YVMH Medical Staff and/or as designated by YVMH, Vice President for Physician Practices, Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, and/or their designees.

New Medical Staff at Yakima Memorial

	Daniel M. Kwon, M.D., received his medical degree from Lama Linda University School of Medicine in Linda, California. He completed his internship, residence and fellowship at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Kwon‘s office is at Memorial’s 16th Avenue Station, 1470 N. 16th Avenue, Yakima.
	Linda Welch, D.O., received her medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She did her internship at Grand Rapids Metropolitan Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She completed her fellowship at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is board certified in Osteopathic Family Practice. Dr. Welch’s office is at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, 602 E. Nob Hill Boulevard, Yakima.
	Pragati Singh, M.D., received her medical degree from New Jersey Medical School in Newark. She completed her residency at Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester in New York. She did her fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Singh’s office is at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, 12 S. 8th Street, Yakima.
	Nasir Rashid, M.D., received his medical degree at the University of Karachi in Pakistan. He completed his internship and residency at Haleem Medical Center in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Rashid also did a residency at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He did his fellowship at Buffalo Hospital in Minnesota. Dr, Rashid’s office is at Pediatrix Medical Group of Washington, 2811 Tieton Drive, Yakima.
	Patrick R. O’Brien, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of New Mexico, School of Medicine. He did his fellowship at the Harvard University/Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts. He is board certified in radiology. Dr. O’Brien’s office is at Yakima Valley Radiology, 314 S. 11th Avenue, Yakima.

Information For Physicians

Welcome to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, a thriving hospital in a growing community.  We champion the hallmarks of superior health care in an environment that emphasizes our core values of compassion, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and safety. And we pride ourselves on creating a first-rate place to support your professional development as well as provide a welcoming home for you and your family.

Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital is a 225-bed regional referral center. The hospital has a full array of medical and surgical specialties and is licensed by the Washington Department of Health and fully accredited by The Joint Commission. Memorial is a member of the American Hospital Association and the Washington State Hospital Association. Areas of excellence include cancer care, heart care, children’s services, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatric care, wound care, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and sleep disorder services.

Memorial staff is constantly involved with in-service programs to improve existing techniques and to learn new ones. Central Washington Family Medicine offers an exceptional family medicine residency in our community Memorial provides clinical training for:

Nurses. Pharmacists. Dietitians. Psychologists. Paramedics. Physician’s assistants.

Emergency medical technicians. Radiation therapy techonologies. Medical technologists. Radiology technologists. Occupational therapists. Surgical technicians.

About Yakima

Here in the Yakima Valley, life is enjoyed at a relatively relaxed pace. The 250,000 people who consider the Yakima Valley home boast that we are the gateway to the Washington wine country and the Cascade Mountains with easy access to the great outdoors and numerous recreation opportunities.

Culturally diverse and close to Seattle, Portland and Spokane, residents can enjoy the benefits and conveniences of larger cities while simultaneously taking advantage of a lower cost of living and a more relaxed lifestyle.

More about our community

• Community Information.
• Culture and Heritage.
• Arts and Entertainment.
• Sports and Recreation.
• Education.
• Washington Wine Country.
• Central Washington Attractions.
• Calendar of Events.

Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Jobs

 

Sleep Medicine Jobs

Who we are:
The Sleep Center at Memorial is the busiest and most advanced full service sleep center in Central Washington. We combine the experience and superb reputation of the Central Washington Sleep Disorders Clinic, providing sleep services since 1985 and Memorial Hospital, the premiere tertiary care center in our area. Our Medical Director is double boarded in Sleep and we employ 10 full time registered sleep technologists in a facility with a 6 exam room clinic (expanding to 8), a 6 bed sleep lab (in expansion to 10). The lab is operating at capacity 6 nights a week. We are in the process of accreditation and wish to bring a new full time sleep clinician into the practice immediately. Our new associate will be fully booked on day 1.

Who are we looking for… We seek a well trained sleep clinician who is enthusiastic and committed to superb patient care. Sleep Board Certification or Eligibility is required. Applicants on Visa status cannot be considered. Our new team member will have a busy and highly compensated practice career in a wonderful community that provides excellent schools, cultural events, natural beauty and a multitude of outdoor activities.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, in the first instance please send contact physicianrecruitment@yakimavalleyliving.org.
Website: http://www.sleepclinic.com