UKC Medic One

Press Releases

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Kittitas County Hospital District #2 Seeks Applicants to Board of Commissioners

Cle Elum, Wash. (June 18, 2024) – The Board of Commissioners for Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2 (KCPHD#2) nominated Sarah Heniges to fill the vacancy in Position 2, an ‘at large’ position.  Registered voters who reside in Hospital District 2 may submit additional nominations by July 5, 2024.

Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2 provides ambulance services to Upper Kittitas County residents through Upper Kittitas County Medic One.  KCPHD #2 also supports a small amount of the care provided at KVH Urgent Care – Cle Elum and the Open Door Medical Clinic (a free clinic that is open two Saturdays per month).

Interested persons should submit a letter of interest by July 5 including relevant background information and assets the person can bring to the Board of Commissioners.  Interviews will be conducted the week of July 15 and the successful applicant will be sworn in at the August 19, 2024 KCPHD #2 Board meeting. Applicants must be registered voters residing in Hospital District No. 2.

The individual who is appointed will hold the position through the November 2025 general election.  That individual would have the option to run for the position in the November 2025 general election for a new six-year term.   

Letters of interest should be sent electronically to mweed@kvhealthcare.org or by hard copy to the KCPHD #2 Board of Commissioners, Attn: Mandy Weed, Executive Assistant, Kittitas Valley Healthcare, 603 S. Chestnut St., Ellensburg, WA 98926.  For additional information, please contact Mandy Weed at (509) 962-7302.

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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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EMS WEEK 2023

During EMS Week May 21-27 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who work at Upper Kittitas County Medic One for their dedication to serving all of Upper Kittitas County.  There is never a doubt in the minds of our community that when 911 is called for an emergency medical concern, Medic One will respond, just as we have steadfastly done for the last 40 years.  As a community that has been pegged as the next “Paradise” due to our high fire danger and limited routes to escape a fire emergency, many would be surprised to know that roughly 85-89% of all 911 calls are for emergency medical services.  Whether the call is for a heart attack, a stroke, a motor vehicle crash, a fall, or some other emergency condition, Upper Kittitas County Medic One responds to the call for assistance.  Approximately one half of the calls for assistance result in transport to a hospital.  For the remainder of the calls, treatment is provided on the scene by a trained professional EMT or Paramedic.  The only time Medic One bills for a service is when the patient is transported, which translates into 50% of the time the services provided are subsidized by the EMS and Hospital District 2 levy that is supported by voters.

As President of the Board of Commissioners of Hospital District 2, which owns and operates Medic One, I couldn’t be more proud of the service we provide to the community.  As Commissioners, we monitor quality metrics and on average, Medic One arrives on scene to care for you within 3:58 minutes of your call. 

While Upper Kittitas Medic One is the only Advanced Life Support ambulance provider in Upper County, our EMS system relies on Basic Life Support providers and First Responders who assist in emergency care.  Many of these First Responders are volunteers.  During EMS Week I would also like to thank all of our partners who assist us in the field with mutual aid and who continue to respond to Basic Life Support calls.  Our community is fortunate that we have decades long collaboration between our Fire Districts and Medic One.

A final thank you to the voters who supported our EMS and Hospital Levy in the fall.  While the levies didn’t pass, your continued support is essential to ensure that Upper Kittitas County Medic One is always able to respond to your call for help when needed and to provide treatment on the scene when you are fortunate enough to not need to be transported to the hospital.

If you see the Medic One crew out and about this week, join me in giving them a big “thank you”.

Floyd Rogalski