Rural hospitals face unique challenges and opportunities every day. Situated across our state’s beautiful countryside, they help ensure that everyone in Washington has access to high quality health care to keep living healthy, fulfilling lives. They also bring jobs as well as economic stability to their communities, serving as a conduit to emergency services and primary care.
For our state’s rural communities, health care as we know it just wouldn’t be the same without these hospitals, and as we lead up to WSHA and AWPHD’s 40th Annual Rural Hospital Leadership Conference June 26-29 in Chelan, we want to recognize the many important roles rural hospitals play in our communities, providing care throughout the continuum.
While rural hospitals may be smaller than those in our densely populated cities, the quality of care they deliver is no different, and they are also evolving with an increasing focus on wellness and prevention. This shift makes sense for the health of the community and for the financial viability of the health care services offered. As a whole and while keeping residents healthy, these hospitals are the safety net, ready to step in and provide quality care when it is needed. In all, these hospitals account for about 70 percent our state’s land, ensuring that help is never far away, no matter where you are in our great state.
In just the last couple years, we’ve seen rural hospitals accomplish some truly wonderful things in ways large and small, whether it comes to responding to emergencies, such as wildfires, or simply launching new programs to help residents live healthier lives.
Thank you, rural members, for everything you do to keep our state healthy. It’s always an honor to represent you, and I look forward to seeing you in Chelan in a few weeks!
Onward,
Scott Bond
President and CEO
scottb@wsha.org
