UKC Medic One

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The passing of Commissioner Hartwig Vatheuer

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Hartwig’s widow, Mary, and his family and loved ones during this time.

Hartwig served for over 20 years as a Hospital District #2 Commissioner and a Board Member of the KVH Foundation. Hartwig lived a life of service and was a model of civic leadership. As individuals, organizations, and communities, we are better for having known Hartwig Vatheuer.

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Hartwig Vatheuer. Hartwig was an admired member of both the KVH Foundation Board and a Kittitas County Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner.

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KCPHD#2 Breaks Ground on Ambulance Station

KCPHD#2

This week, Kittitas County Public Hospital District #2 (KCPHD#2) Board members and Medic One staff officially broke ground for a new Ambulance Station.

The station will be more than 8,000 square feet and will replace the current outdated, outgrown garage built in the 1950s, which does not provide enough bedrooms for staff or space for ambulances.

“The construction of a new station will not only expand space for Medic One ambulances and staff, it will also allow Medic One to operate in a comfortable, safe, and efficient environment,” said Geoff Scherer, Operations Manager for Upper Kittitas County Medic One.

The Board embarked on a master site and strategic planning in 2017. The new ambulance station quickly surfaced as the District’s highest priority.

The Board worked closely with Administration, the Medic One crews and KDA Architects to design a facility to meet the unique needs of the Upper County community today and 20 years into the future.

“This has been many years in the works,” said Floyd Rogalski, President of the Board of Commissioners for Hospital District 2. “We’re thankful to finally be breaking ground.”

Fully funded without raising taxes, and adjacent to the existing KVH Family Medicine clinic, the station will have a similar look to the other buildings on campus.

Clearing of the project site started in August this year. Construction is slated to start soon and last 9-10 months. KCPHD#2 is hoping to have a ribbon cutting in July of 2021.

Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2 (KCPHD #2) provides ambulance services to Upper Kittitas County residents through Upper Kittitas County Medic One. 

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Collaborations Proceeding for Upper County Medical Resources

Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2, Kittitas Valley Healthcare, and Swedish Health Services have agreed to location changes that will allow for greater collaboration between upper county medical resources and an expansion of services to the community.

Kittitas Valley Healthcare will relocate KVH Urgent Care – Cle Elum into the building on 1st Street that currently houses Swedish Cle Elum Primary Care.  Swedish Health Services will move into the current KVH Urgent Care – Cle Elum space at 201 Alpha Way, which is owned by Hospital District 2 and leased by Kittitas Valley Healthcare. 

The building on 1st Street will provide a location that is better suited for an urgent care facility than the existing location.  KVH Urgent Care – Cle Elum will maintain its current hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, and increase staffing levels.

Swedish will discontinue primary care services at its current location on November 22.

“It’s been our privilege to provide primary care to Kittitas County for the past six years,” said Jim Cunningham, Administrative Director of Primary Care for Swedish. “We’re now looking forward to bringing new specialty services to the community in 2018.”

The sequence of moves will allow urgent care to provide uninterrupted service to the community.  Kittitas Valley Healthcare will move the urgent care service to the 1st Street location in January 2018.  Swedish plans to begin offering specialty care and telehealth services in the Alpha Way location as of February 2018.

“We are pleased that the entire medical community is working together to ensure that patients have access to the best care,” said Floyd Rogalski, President of the Board of Commissioners for Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2.  “We appreciate the diligence and dedication of all parties who have worked to arrange this collaboration.”