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New Ambulance Will Help Kittitas County Patients Reach Specialized Care and Keep 911 Crews Close to Home

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Ambulance Will Help Kittitas County Patients Reach Specialized Care and Keep 911 Crews Close to Home. Kittitas Valley Healthcare, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, and Medic One back new AMR unit for patient transfers.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) will now have an ambulance dedicated to patient transfers, due to a new agreement with American Medical Response (AMR). The unit’s role will be to safely and quickly transport patients from KVH to other facilities and specialists while keeping local 911 medic crews close to home for emergencies.

“AMR is proud to partner with these organizations to help enhance access to timely patient care throughout the community,” said AMR Operations Manager, Gary Tucker-Atherley. AMR is a division of Global Medical Response. “By dedicating this ambulance to KVH, we can help ensure patients get to the specialized care they need while strengthening the healthcare ecosystem in the area and helping keep local 911 Medic Units available.”

The agreement reflects close collaboration between KVH, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue (KVFR), and Kittitas County Hospital District 2 (Medic One). All three organizations supported the effort, which was led by Medic One Superintendent Rhonda Holden.

“When someone needs a specialist we don’t have here, we want to transfer them as quickly as possible to the expert providers they need,” said Jason Adler, CEO of Kittitas Valley Healthcare. “This unit gives our community a dedicated option, and it came from our local EMS partners and KVH working together.”

The effort grew out of a 2026 Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiative adopted by the KVH Board of Commissioners, “Inter-Facility Patient Transports Throughput.” The initiative aims to reduce delays in interfacility transport, decrease ED boarding time, and reduce the wait times in the KVH emergency department.

“An average of two interfacility transports per day occur out of KVH. We recognize the stress this puts on Kittitas County Advanced Life Support partners, as it takes our EMS providers out of the County for an average of 6 hours per transport,” said Rhonda Holden, Superintendent of Medic One. “Having this partnership with AMR ensures Medic One and KVFR remain available to respond to emergency calls in Kittitas County. This has been a very collaborative process between agencies to ensure the needs of our community are met.”

KVH also recognizes Dr. Chris Schmelzer, the local Medical Program Director (MPD), for his efforts on the EMS council to help increase Kittitas County’s Advanced Life Support (ALS) licenses from two to three.

Over the last five years, patients have had to wait approximately 15-18 hours for transfers to psychiatric facilities and about 6 hours for non-psychiatric transfers. Over that same period, Fire and Rescue’s call volume increased 32%: from 4,106 calls to 5,422.

“This partnership will improve our ability to keep Advanced Life Support medic units available for 911 calls in our community,” said Greg Rightmier, Fire Chief of KVFR. “KVFR will continue to partner with KVH Hospital to transport critical patients to definitive care outside the county. Together, we are strengthening our ability to meet both needs: responding to local emergencies and helping patients reach the specialized care they need.”

“This is a community problem, and we are solving it together,” said Adler. “I’m grateful to Chief Rightmier, Superintendent Holden, MPD Dr. Schmelzer and their boards and teams for the partnership.”

About Kittitas Valley Healthcare Kittitas Valley Healthcare
(KVH) proudly serves Kittitas County and surrounding rural communities as the region’s only health care system. Governed by a locally elected Board of Commissioners, KVH operates 25 beds providing acute care, critical care, and birthing beds, providing 24/7 emergency services and a full range of inpatient and outpatient care. Through multiple clinics and specialty services, KVH oAers family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ENT, orthopedics, podiatry, neurology, general and vascular surgery, urology, and urgent care. Additional services include home health, hospice, wound care, workplace health, and rehabilitation therapy. Committed to keeping high-quality care local, KVH strives to improve access and enhance the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

About Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue
(KVFR) provides fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services through a dedicated team of over a hundred career and volunteer personnel. KVFR provides fire responses to 278 square miles and EMS response to roughly 1,200 square miles, responding to over 5,000 calls for service in 2025.

Media Contact
Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, Interim Director of Community Relations, marykay@mkcrsunshine.com

Photo of Greg Rightmier (Fire Chief, KVFR), Rhonda Holden (Superintendent, Medic-One), Jason Adler (CEO, KVH), Gary Tucker-Atherley (Operations Manager, AMR)
Greg Rightmier (Fire Chief, KVFR), Rhonda Holden (Superintendent, Medic-One), Jason Adler (CEO, KVH), Gary Tucker-Atherley (Operations Manager, AMR)

KVH CEO Jason Adler Named to Becker’s Hospital Review “Rising Stars: Healthcare Leaders Under 40” List

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National recognition highlights KVH teams’ work to keep health care close to home by expanding local specialty care, recruiting providers and strengthening hospital district finances

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) CEO Jason Adler has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 “Rising Stars: Healthcare Leaders Under 40” list, which recognizes leaders age 40 and younger working across the nation’s hospitals and health systems.

Becker’s developed the list based on nominations and editorial research, and leaders cannot pay for inclusion.

Adler has spent more than a decade at KVH. He joined in 2014 as a financial analyst, later served as CFO, and was promoted to CEO in December 2024. Becker’s recognized him for work across the organization, including:

  • Stabilizing KVH’s Family Birthing Place by reducing reliance on temporary (“locum tenens”) coverage and partnering with OBHG to secure three dedicated OB/GYN physicians, providing 24/7 labor and delivery coverage for families in Kittitas County.
  • Securing 26 providers across primary care and specialty services in his first year as CEO. This reversed prior vacancy trends and provided stability for providers and patients.
  • Improving access to needed specialty services, including podiatry, cardiology, urology and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
  • Leading the hospital district’s first successful public levy in 61 years, which improves the hospital’s ability to keep care close to home.
  • Maintaining a positive operating margin, despite national financial pressures on rural hospitals.

“The recognition belongs to the dedicated and committed staff at KVH,” Adler said. “We have a strong commitment to keeping care local, and everything Becker’s recognized is a reflection of that. Our community voted and passed the levy, our recruitment and medical staff brought in 26 new providers, our clinic teams stood up new services, our quality teams led us through certifications, and our finance team keeps us on solid footing. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who works hard for KVH and for the community.”

Adler also thanked the KVH Board of Commissioners and the community. “Our Board has been a true partner. Their steady guidance and strong working relationship make it possible for us to set big goals and follow through. It’s an honor to do this work for our community and to help keep high-quality care local for our neighbors.”

“The board was thrilled to hear that Jason was named as a Rising Star for health care leaders under 40 from Becker’s Hospital Review this year,” said Jon Ward, chair of the KVH Board of Commissioners. “Health care leadership is a very challenging occupation, and we are fortunate to have Jason oversee the Kittitas Valley Healthcare organization. He brings a strong financial background, a passion for delivering quality community-based medical services, and a strong vision for the future to his role as CEO for KVH.”

The full Becker’s list and individual profiles are available at beckershospitalreview.com.

About Kittitas Valley Healthcare

Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) proudly serves Kittitas County and surrounding rural communities as the region’s only health care system. Governed by a locally elected Board of Commissioners, KVH operates 25 acute care, critical care, and birthing beds, providing 24/7 emergency services and a full range of inpatient and outpatient care. Through multiple clinics and specialty services, KVH offers family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ENT, orthopedics, podiatry, neurology, general and vascular surgery, urology, and urgent care. Additional services include home health, hospice, wound care, workplace health, and rehabilitation therapy. Committed to keeping high-quality care local, KVH strives to improve access and enhance the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

Kittitas Valley Healthcare awarded for efforts to improve rural stroke care

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Kittitas Valley Healthcare awarded for efforts to improve rural stroke care

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities

ELLENSBURG, WA, July 29, 2025 — People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. , Kittitas Valley Healthcare is committed to changing that.

For efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, Kittitas Valley Healthcare  has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recognizes the importance of health care services provided to people living in rural areas by rural hospitals that play a vital role in initiation of timely evidence-based care. For that reason, all rural hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines- Stroke are eligible to receive award recognition based on a unique methodology focused on early acute stroke performance metrics.

“We are proud that our team at Kittitas Valley Healthcare is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Kittitas County who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Deb Callins, KVH Chief Nursing Officer. “As a hospital in a rural community, we deal with unique challenges, such as extended interfacility transportation times, and limited staffing resources. We’ve made it a goal to make sure those hurdles do not affect the standard of care our stoke patients receive.

“Rural communities deserve high quality stroke care. I’m proud of our team for their commitment to stroke care excellence and this achievement. “The award recognizes hospitals for their efforts toward acute stroke care excellence demonstrated by composite score compliance to guideline-directed care for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, timely hospital inter-facility transfer, dysphagia screening, symptom timeline and deficit assessment documentation, emergency medical services communication, brain imaging and stroke expert consultation.

“Patients and health care professionals in Kittitas County face unique health care challenges and opportunities,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. Kittitas Valley Healthcare has furthered this important work to improve care for all Americans, regardless of where they live.”

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About Kittitas Valley Healthcare: 

Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) proudly serves Kittitas County and surrounding rural communities as the region’s only healthcare system. Governed by a locally elected Board of Commissioners, KVH operates 25 acute care, critical care, and birthing beds, providing 24/7 emergency services and a full range of inpatient and outpatient care. Through multiple clinics and specialty services, KVH offers family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, ENT, orthopedics, neurology, general and vascular surgery, and urgent care. Additional services include home health, hospice, wound care, workplace health, and rehabilitation therapy. Committed to keeping high-quality care local, KVH strives to improve access and enhance the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

[1] American Heart Association. American Heart Association issues call to action for addressing inequities in rural health. February 10, 2020. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-heart-association-issues-call-to-action-for-addressing-inequities-in-rural-health; American Heart Association. Public Health AmeriCorps to address health inequity in rural communities. April 6, 2022. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/public-health-americorps-to-address-health-inequity-in-rural-communities.

[2] Harrington R, et al. Call to Action: Rural Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Circulation. 2020;141:e615–e644.

PUBLIC NOTICE – RFQ

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Request for Qualifications (RFQ)- Architectural Services for Nursing Home to Administrative Office Remodel (pdf)

Public Hospital District – Ellensburg, WA

Public Hospital District No. 1, located in Ellensburg, Washington, is inviting qualified firms to submit qualifications to be considered for the continuation of renovation and construction services for a medical facility originally constructed as a skilled nursing facility. The facility is approximately 21,000 square feet, with 10,500 square feet already renovated.

The scope of the project includes, but is not limited to:
– Completion of design development
– Code compliance updates
– Space planning
– Interior finish selection
– Construction oversight
– Expansion of existing parking in accordance with city ordinance
– ADA access improvements

Approximately 50% of remodeling work has been completed, including select mechanical and structural components. Geotechnical and infiltration reports are finalized, with SEPA and city parking permits currently in process.

Interested firms may obtain the full RFQ packet and submission instructions by contacting:

Wayne Tivis   
Public Hospital District No. 1 
(509) 933-8625
KVHContractorSubmissions@kvhealthcare.org

Proposal submissions are due by midnight on 5/30/25, and must comply with all instructions in the RFQ packet.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any informalities or irregularities in the process. This project is a public works project and subject to all applicable Washington State laws and regulations.

“Bone Up on Bone Health” with Chelsea Newman, PA-C

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Upper Kittitas County Senior Center Hosts “Bone Up on Bone Health” with Chelsea Newman, PA-C

Cle Elum, WA – February 20, 2025 – The Upper Kittitas County (UKC) Senior Center is excited to announce a special “Bone Up on Bone Health Presentation” with KVH’s Family Medicine Cle Elum Physician Assistant Chelsea Newman, on March 18th from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Center’s main hall.

During this month’s Community Talk, Chelsea Newman will provide valuable insights on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and fall prevention—two essential topics for older adults seeking to maintain and improve their bone strength and overall well-being. Chelsea will share practical tips for the diagnosis, pharmacological treatments and lifestyle recommendations for osteoporosis.

This presentation is free and open to the community, and we encourage all to attend. It will be a great opportunity to learn about strategies for staying active, healthy, and safe in everyday life.

Details of the Event:

  • Date: March 18, 2025
  • Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: Upper Kittitas County Senior Center, Main Hall, 719 E 3rd St, Cle Elum, WA 98922
  • Speaker: Chelsea Newman, PA-C from KVH’s Family Medicine Cle Elum Clinic

The UKC Senior Center is dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of older adults in our community, and we are pleased to offer this educational session as part of our ongoing programming.

For more information, please contact the UKC Senior Center at 509-674-7530.

About Upper Kittitas County Senior Center:
The Upper Kittitas County Senior Center is a community-based organization that provides a variety of programs, services, and activities for the Upper Kittitas County community. The Center is committed to enhancing all aspects and well-being of the lives of older adults through educational opportunities, social activities, and resources that promote health and well-being.

KVH Foundation Contributes Over $510,000 to Support KVH Departments and Patient Care

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Ellensburg, WA, December 12, 2024

Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) would like to thank The Foundation at KVH for its significant 2024 financial contributions to Kittitas Valley Healthcare departments, providing critical funding to enhance patient care and support essential services. With a total distribution of $510,938, these donations underscore the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare in our community.

This year’s contributions have enabled the acquisition of vital medical equipment, educational materials, and patient care resources. Highlights of the donations include:

  • Emergency Department: $3,113 for Stop the Bleed kits to enhance emergency preparedness.
  • Nutrition Department: $990 for diabetic nutritional education supplies to support patient education.
  • Family Birthing Place: $1,031 for team leadership materials to strengthen care for expectant families.
  • Cancer Support Group: $890 for community cancer support group materials, fostering connection and resilience.
  • OB/ED/OR: $40,350 for four Glidescopes to improve patient care during procedures.
  • Leadership Team: $5,750 for Valor Training and conference attendance, promoting professional growth.
  • Home Health & Hospice: $18,686 for hospice patient materials and supplies to ensure compassionate end-of-life care.
  • Internal & Adult Medicine: $21,000 for a bladder scanner and supplies to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
  • KVH Imaging: $12,335 to fund mammograms for uninsured patients, advancing early detection of breast cancer.
  • TETWP (Tough Enough to Wear Pink): $702 for breast cancer awareness educational materials.
  • Medical/Surgical Nursing: $1,090 for training programs to elevate nursing expertise.
KVH Foundation

Additionally, The Foundation at KVH spearheaded a substantial $405,000 in 2024 funding for specialized medical equipment and advanced technology, including:

  • Family Medicine – Ellensburg: $10,300 for a bladder scanner.
  • Speech Therapy: $36,000 for a fiberoptic endoscope camera, enabling enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
  • OB/ED/OR: $82,000 for rapid transfusion and blood warming equipment to optimize critical care.
  • Orthopedics: $114,267 for a fracture table and $162,433 as a contribution toward the ARVIS Surgical Navigation System to advance orthopedic surgical precision.

These generous contributions exemplify The Foundation at KVH’s mission to improve healthcare services for the benefit of all.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Foundation at KVH for their unwavering support. These donations not only enhance the resources available to our departments but also reinforce our ability to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to our community,” said Jason Adler, CEO at KVH.

The Foundation at KVH continues to be a beacon of hope and a vital partner in driving innovation and excellence in healthcare for Kittitas Valley.  For more information about The Foundation at KVH and its initiatives, please visit https://www.kvhealthcare.org/foundation/ or contact Laura Bobovski at 509-933-8669.

2024.12.12 Foundation Distribution.pdf

KVH Chief Ancillary Officer and Roslyn community member Rhonda Holden named to new Federal Advisory Committee

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On Tuesday, December 13 the Biden-Harris Administration announced that local resident Rhonda Holden, RN, BSN, MSN was one of 17 individuals throughout the country selected to join the Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing (GAPB) Advisory Committee. This new federal advisory committee was created in November of 2021 to improve the disclosure of charges and fees for ground ambulance services and to better inform consumers of insurance options for such services and protect consumers from balance billing.

Ms. Holden will provide the committee with insight into the unique needs of rural communities that rely on ground ambulance services, not only to respond to accidents and emergencies but also to transport patients long distances to a higher level of care. “I believe we can work together to revise the payment structure for ground ambulance transports which will ultimately alleviate burdensome financial challenges for consumers. Financial concerns should not be a barrier to access life-saving care for any American,” states Holden.

Rhonda’s career as a registered nurse has been spent largely serving rural communities. She is a long time resident of Roslyn with an in-depth experience in advisory roles. She currently serves as the Chief Ancillary Officer at Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) and is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Kittitas County Public Hospital District #2, which operates Medic One, the only advanced life support (ALS) ambulance service in Upper County.

“Ms. Holden is well qualified to articulate the unique challenges that rural ground ambulance consumers and providers experience and will represent the rural perspective,” stated KVH Commissioner Robert Davis in her nomination letter. Ms. Holden’s nomination was supported by Kittitas County Hospital District 1 and 2’s Boards of Commissioners, the Legislators of Washington State’s 13th District, the Washington State Hospital Association, the Washington State EMS and Trauma Steering Committee, the Washington State Emergency Cardiac and Stroke Technical Advisory Committee and the American Hospital Association’s Rural Health Services.

For more information on the Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee appointments see Members of New Federal Advisory Committee Named to Help Improve Ground Ambulance Disclosure and Billing Practices for Consumers | CMS and 2022-27263.pdf (federalregister.gov).

For information on the GAPB committee and charter see Advisory Committee on Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing (GAPB) | CMS

For inquiries on the GAPB please contact press@cms.hhs.gov

Julie Petersen Wins Leadership Award

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Kittitas Valley Healthcare CEO wins the prestigious Joe Hopkins Memorial Award from the Washington State Hospital Association

Ellensburg, WA, November 1, 2022 –Julie Petersen, Kittitas Valley Healthcare CEO was awarded the 2022 Joe Hopkins Memorial Award at the Washington State Hospital Association’s (WSHA) Annual meeting on Monday, October 17. The Joe Hopkins Memorial Award was created in 1987 to acknowledge an individual who displays the spirit of Joe Hopkins’ vision and dedication to Washington’s hospitals.

Julie began her career in health care almost 40 years ago as a staff accountant for Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. Since 2016, she has served as the CEO of Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 1 and Superintendent of Kittitas County Public Hospital District No. 2 serving Upper Kittitas County. Julie has been a member and Chair of the WSHA Rural Committee and is the past president of AWPHD and past chair of WSHA. The American Hospital Association (AHA) invited Julie to be a member of its Task Force on Ensuring Healthcare for Vulnerable Communities and to represent small and rural hospitals on the AHA Regional Policy Board for Region nine.

Julie has been a strong leader for rural hospitals and all hospitals in Washington for decades, and she is particularly dedicated to ensuring rural residents have access to high-quality care in every community in Washington. When Julie returned to Ellensburg in 2016, Medical staff development and Board development were high on her list of priorities and resulted in the first medical staff development plan for Kittitas Valley Healthcare.

Additionally, Julie was also focused on improving partnerships with local private practices, Community Health of Central Washington, Central Washington University and our regional referral centers so KVH could serve more of our community here at home. As a result of this continuing work, access to healthcare in our rural county is stronger. In recent years Julie has led KVH through a worldwide pandemic and has been a key partner with other community agencies in caring for the residents of Kittitas County.
“Julie is a practical visionary,” stated Michele Wurl, Chief Public Relations Officer at KVH. “Whether focusing on bringing services to the bedside, resources to the workforce or partners to the table, she is skilled at looking forward and working with all partners to make a vision reality. Julie sets the tone for Kittitas Valley Healthcare through her dedication, hard work, tireless commitment and constant compassion for her employees and community.”

Watch Congratulation Video

Photo: Julie Petersen, CPA, KVH Chief Executive Officer

Media Contacts:
Michele Wurl, Chief Public Relations Officer
509.933.8838
mwurl@kvhealthcare.org

KVH partners with The Shoemaker Foundation to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Kittitas County

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Kittitas Valley Healthcare has partnered with the Shoemaker Foundation to implement the Blue Band Initiative in Kittitas County; a project that aims to improve awareness, recognition, and management of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a multi-system progressive disorder that can occur any time during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. It is characterized by hypertension and evidence of organ injury. As many as one in twelve pregnancies is affected by preeclampsia.

The Blue Band Initiative provides patient education and home blood pressure devices so mothers experiencing hypertension can closely monitor their health. Home monitoring and early recognition of symptoms may mean the difference between life and death for women with preeclampsia. Mothers are encouraged to wear a special “blue band” bracelet to quickly alert first responders and healthcare providers that she is at risk for preeclampsia, limiting delays in diagnosis and treatment. Thirteen separate healthcare organizations in Kittitas County are participating in the Blue Band Initiative.

The Blue Band Initiative fosters a shared model of care between the patient and her healthcare team promoting both quality patient care and patient self-advocacy. Kittitas Valley Healthcare Obstetric provider, Dr. Holly Dawson said “Patients have given great feedback about the program stating that it is helpful for them to be proactive about their health. They feel empowered to understand what is going on with their bodies and when to seek care.”

KVH would like to formally thank The Shoemaker Foundation for their support of this important initiative.

The Foundation at KVH was established in 1986 to support the mission of Kittitas Valley Healthcare. It consists of a 19-member volunteer board, dedicated to improving the services offered throughout the healthcare system. Since its inception, through the generosity of our community, The Foundation has donated over $2 million to the organization.

Resources:

Blue Band Initiative at KVH

Giving to The Foundation at KVH