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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

KVH Commissioner appointed to AHA Committee on Governance

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Kittitas County Public Hospital District #1 (KVH) Commissioner Matthew Altman, Ph.D., has been appointed to the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Governance (COG).

An advisory committee of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees, the 26-member COG represents AHA’s trustee members and participates in the association’s advocacy, policy and resource development, with a particular focus on strategic opportunities. The committee meets three times per year and is composed of the chair-elect, chair and immediate past chair; nine regional members, and up to 16 at-large members. Commissioner Altman will represent the 9th District, composed of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Appointment to the COG is the result of a competitive process. Individuals must first be nominated, interviewed by the COG’s Leadership Development Committee and subsequently appointed by the AHA Board of Trustees. Dr. Altman will serve a three year term.

“It’s no surprise that Matt was appointed to AHA”, states Bob Davis, Chairman of the KVH Board of Commissioners. “Matt did a great job as past board president and is a fully engaged commissioner. He will be influential on the national level for AHA.”

Founded in 1989, the American Hospital Association is a national organization that provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. The AHA represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.

Through representation and advocacy activities, AHA ensures that members’ perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters. Their advocacy efforts include the legislative and executive branches and include the legislative and regulatory arenas. Dr. Altman is one of the few members of the Committee on Governance who is representing a rural hospital.

Over $14,700 raised in the fight against breast cancer

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The Foundation at Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) and the Ellensburg Rodeo Association celebrated another successful Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP) campaign in 2019. Money was raised through selling pink merchandise and accepting general donations on the Sunday of Ellensburg Rodeo. This year, $7,179 was raised on rodeo Sunday. In addition to the funds raised at the rodeo, TETWP volunteers generated over $6,500 through pick-your-prize raffle and merchandise sales at Kittitas Valley Healthcare. Gard Vintners also donated proceeds from their annual Gard Against Cancer. In total, over $14,700 was raised to help prevent and fight breast cancer in Kittitas County.

Ellensburg Rodeo President Jerry Doolin presents a check to The Foundation at KVH for the 2019 Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign. L to R: Laura Bobovski, Donna Walker, Mary Seubert, Jerry Doolin, Connie Dunnington, Karen Schock, Julie Petersen

The Foundation at KVH uses the TETWP funds to provide free mammography screenings at Kittitas Valley Healthcare for patients in need and to support breast cancer education materials in our community. Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer and The Foundation appreciates the support of the TETWP committee, the Ellensburg Rodeo, Gard Vintners and the community as a whole in continuing to ensure no patient goes without breast screenings in our community, regardless of financial ability.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is a national campaign sponsored by Wrangler. The Foundation at KVH and the Ellensburg Rodeo Association partner each year to raise funds to support breast cancer awareness and prevention services in Kittitas County.

For more information on The Foundation at KVH TETWP Fund please visit www.kvhealthcare.org/foundation or contact the Foundation Office at 509-933-8669.

KVH Medical Arts Center – Call for artists

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Kittitas Valley Healthcare seeks to commission artists or artist teams to design artwork for its new Medical Arts Center (MAC) at 100 E Jackson Ave in Ellensburg. The Medical Arts Center will be home to KVH Family Medicine – Ellensburg, KVH Women’s Health, and KVH Pediatrics, as well as other healthcare partners and collaborators.

For centuries, art has played a powerful role in the healing process. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, knew about the healing power of images and proclaimed: “Variety of form and brilliancy of color in the object presented to patients are an actual means of recovery.” It is our belief that if art can enhance someone’s mood or take their mind off their pain for a short while, it is no longer just a decoration. It’s part of the entire model of care.

Contact us for more details on how to be involved in this exciting project for our community.