Press Release
Welcome to our press release page. Here you will find a list of official press releases distributed by Confluence Health.
2024 Articles:
Confluence Health Recognized by American Heart Association for Building a Culture of Health and Well-Being
Confluence Health was recently nationally recognized by the American Heart
Association with gold-level recognition for its commitment to employee
health and well-being as measured in the Association’s 2023 Workforce
Well-Being Scorecard. The Scorecard brings together the latest research
and insights from industry experts to help business leaders build a science-backed,
employee-centric culture of health and well-being. The tool allows employers
to evaluate how their policies and procedures compare to leading best
practices in areas such as mental health support, addressing burnout,
financial well-being, health equity considerations, and more. Companies
that complete the Scorecard receive a recognition level based on their
alignment with established guidance, along with actionable strategies
to support improvement and a dashboard to benchmark their progress against
peer organizations.
Click here to read the full press release.
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto: Confluence Health Celebrates 2,000th Robotic Surgery
Recent visitors to Confluence Health Hospital's Central Campus were likely
a bit surprised to see a different sort of greeter near the entrance:
a four-armed, eight-foot-tall surgery robot. In celebration of the 2,000th
robotic surgery performed at Confluence Health, the organization partnered
with Intuitive (the company that makes the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot)
to commemorate the milestone by bringing in a traveling surgical robot,
allowing community members, staff and others to try their hand at the
machine. While only a traveling demonstration device, the surgical robot
on display was identical to the one used by surgeons at Confluence Health
and helps to highlight the tool’s capabilities to tackle a wide
range of surgical needs.
(Pictured in photo, left to right: Elva Valdez, surgical RN; Socorro Bernal, certified surgical tech; Holland Gjefle, surgical RN; Geneva Wilson, surgical RN; Dawna Fox, surgical services manager; Liz Dittbrender, perioperative service director; Dr. Catherine Straub, general surgeon; and Billie Ritzke, perianesthesia endoscopy supervisor.)
Click here to read the full press release.
2023 Articles:
Confluence Health Names New Chief Medical Officer
Confluence Health announced today that Dr. James Murray has been selected
as its new chief medical officer (CMO) after having been recommended for
the role and confirmed by the Confluence Health Board last week. Serving
as the interim chief medical officer since late July 2023 after the departure
of the previous CMO, Dr. Jason Lake, Dr. Jim Murray will now officially
assume the CMO role. This important position within the healthcare system
works to ensure that Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical
Group are delivering safe and effective healthcare according to the organization’s
mission to provide “Local care by and for our community” alongside
operational and executive leadership and in cooperation with medical staff.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces New Chief Ambulatory and Clinic Network Officer
Confluence Health announced that they have selected Brian Barry to serve
as their new chief ambulatory and clinic network officer. A new position
that will serve as a member of the executive leadership team alongside
the chief executive officer, chief nursing officer, chief financial officer,
and others, this role will focus on outpatient service lines as Confluence
Health continues its efforts to redesign primary care and fulfill its
mission of “Local care by and for our community.” Barry joins
Confluence Health having most recently served as the chief operating officer
for MultiCare Medical Associates in Tacoma, a large medical group with
more than 600 physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) working
across South Puget Sound. In his previous position, Barry worked as a
leader for the region in ensuring standards for access, quality, safety,
and operational workflows, all while ensuring a commitment to excellent
service and care. Having served for over 22 years in healthcare leadership
roles, he brings expansive and diverse experience.
Click here to read the full press release.
Completing the Circle: Confluence Health Partners in New Composting Program
Serving not only patients receiving care but visitors and staff as well,
the kitchen at Confluence Health Hospital Central Campus is a busy one.
Preparing 1,500 meals every day means that, in addition to providing excellent
nutrition to those recovering from surgery or a healthy lunch to a busy
nurse, there can be a lot of waste generated. In addition to the standard
garbage, kitchens like this also produce a large amount of organic waste
– the tops of tomatoes, lettuce leaves that don’t make the
cut, the insides of bell peppers, eggshells, and even some paper products
– that previously would have just gone into the regular trash collection service.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Celebrates Start of Teambirth Program to Improve Maternity Care
Confluence Health staff in the mother-baby unit and guests from Ariadne
Labs celebrated the kickoff of a new maternity care program – TeamBirth
– with a small gathering to reflect on the efforts to bring this
important program to life, and to finally meet face-to-face with those
they had long collaborated with on Zoom calls. With the kickoff, Confluence
Health Hospital Central Campus becomes one of the first 15 hospitals in
Washington State to participate in the TeamBirth maternity program. TeamBirth
improves care by ensuring people giving birth, and the clinicians caring
for them, have shared input and understanding during the delivery of care.
TeamBirth was developed by Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems
innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H.
Chan School of Public Health.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Celebrates Grand Opening of Moses Lake Radiation Oncology Center
Last weekend Confluence Health held a grand opening ceremony to officially
open the doors at the new Moses Lake Radiation Oncology Center. The new
facility – which is anticipated to be under its $14.8 million budget
at project close – is the fulfillment of many years of advocacy
and effort to care for cancer patients in the region and was a top priority
that had been in the works for several years. “This new facility
will help patients undergoing radiation therapy, who previously would
have needed to travel to Wenatchee, Spokane, or other locations for treatment,
to get their needed care closer to home and their support network of families
and friends,” remarked Dr. Andrew Jones, CEO of Confluence Health.
“We are so excited to be able to offer this state-of-the-art care
right in the Columbia Basin.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Honored By Ama, Forbes For Promoting Well-Being Of Healthcare Workers
Confluence Health was recently selected for two recognitions for efforts
in supporting the well-being of healthcare workers. Confluence Health
has earned silver recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA)
as a Joy in Medicine™ recognized organization. The prestigious AMA
distinction is granted only to organizations that attest to the rigorous
criteria of the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program
and demonstrate a commitment to preserving the well-being of clinical
care team members through proven efforts to combat work-related stress
and burnout. In addition, Confluence Health was also recently recognized
as one of America’s Best Employers By State from Forbes. The fifth
annual list is the result of Forbes’ partnership with the market
research firm Statista and surveys 70,000 workers across the United States
to ask if they would recommend their employer to others and to evaluate
their workplace on compensation, growth potential, diversity, company
image, working conditions, and more through an anonymous survey.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces New Vice President of Philanthropy
Confluence Health announced today that Suzanne Carté-Cocroft will
soon be joining the organization as the new vice president of philanthropy.
While a new title, this new vice president position replaces the role
previously held by the foundation executive trustee, a position that works
to lead and guide the Confluence Health Foundation.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Stroke Program Recognized by Major Organizations with Multiple Awards
Confluence Health’s Central Washington Hospital (now Confluence Health
Hospital - Central Campus) was recently recognized by major organizations
for their efforts within their stroke program.
In recognition for their commitment to providing high-quality stroke care,
Confluence Health was awarded three different recognitions by the American
Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association, a division of
the AHA. As a part of organizations’ Get with the Guidelines program,
Confluence Health was presented with the Stroke Gold Plus Award for consistent
adherence to AHA guidelines in dealing with strokes. In addition to this
significant award, Confluence Health was further recognized with the Target:
Stroke Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes honor roll recognitions
for efforts in these areas.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group Sign Agreement
This past Thursday, August 3rd, the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group (WVMG)
board of directors signed the Professional Services Agreement and Co-management
Agreement (PSA-CMA), with the Confluence Health board of directors also
signing the agreement on Tuesday, August 8th. Under negotiation for over
a year, this document forms the structure of the working relationship
between Confluence Health and the WVMG, the organization made up of and
representing most of the physicians working at the various Confluence
Health facilities in North Central Washington.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Honored with Two Major Heart Care-Related Awards
Confluence Health was recently awarded the 2023 Award of Excellence in
Cardiovascular Surgery by the Foundation for Health Care Quality as a
part of the Cardiac Care Outcomes Assessment Program (COAP) for the second
year in a row.
Click here to read the full press release.
A Heart for Service: Confluence Health Honors Retiring Chaplain Scott Langager for 25 Years of Care and Compassion
For over 25 years, Chaplain Scott Langager has been quietly and steadfastly
serving as the bridge between these two realms of care, working alongside
physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and others to provide counseling,
spiritual guidance, or even just a friendly smile when most needed. “We
recruited Chaplain Scott from Fargo, North Dakota in December 1997. He
was probably just trying to warm up,” remembered Tracey Kasnic,
vice president of special projects at Confluence Health. “His plan
was to only stay a few years and then go back to North Dakota, but here
we are almost 26 years later. It became a running joke for several of
us.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Charting a New Course: Confluence Health Announces Mission & Vision Statements
Shared values and goals are essential to the strong foundation of any organization. This is especially true for a local healthcare provider, which has meaningful, long-lasting outcomes on communities and families now and into the future. That is why Confluence Health, North Central Washington's largest healthcare provider, is so excited to unveil its new mission and vision statements. The new mission of Confluence Health is: "Local care by and for our community." The new vision is: "To serve our community with compassionate care through our dedication to: enabling joy and pride in our work, focusing on local sustainability, ensuring access for all, and committing to excellent care and service."
Click here to read the full press release.
Changes coming to Confluence Health Facility Names
Beginning July 1, Confluence Health will transition its naming conventions
for its hospitals and some other locations to increase clarity and allow
for smoother services for patients. Ten years after Wenatchee Valley Medical
Center (now known as Wenatchee Valley Medical Group) and Confluence Health
Hospital | Central Campus affiliated under the name of Confluence Health
in 2013, the organization will now transition to a single entity: Confluence
Health. This change will result in some of the facilities having new names.
Click here to read the full press release.
Local Healthcare, Education, and Law Enforcement Partner for Community Safety Exercise.
On June 23rd, Confluence Health, Wenatchee School District, Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, Wenatchee Police Department, and the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, along with regional fire, police, and EMS agencies, will partner for a safety training exercise to better coordinate efforts to protect the community.
Click here to read the full press release.
The Gift Of Life: Confluence Health Receives Prestigious Award In Ceremony For Role In Organ Donation That Saved Four Lives
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Confluence Health was recognized this past Thursday, May 11 for the Excellence
in Community Partnership Award in a ceremony put on by LifeCenter Northwest,
a non-profit organ procurement organization. This prestigious award is
typically given annually to only one hospital across a four-state, 230+
hospital region which has demonstrated unwavering dedication to working
to improve the lives of people in the communities they serve.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Jointly Recognized for Excellence in Organ Donation Collaboration and Individually Recognized for Three Additional Metric-Based Awards
Confluence Health will be recognized jointly along with Samaritan Healthcare
in Moses Lake for the Excellence in Community Partnership Award from LifeCenter
Northwest, a non-profit organ procurement organization. This prestigious
award is typically given annually to only one hospital across a four-state,
230+ hospital region which has demonstrated unwavering dedication to working
to improve the lives of people in the communities they serve.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces Changes to Masking Policy for Patients and Visitors
Confluence Health today announced updates to its masking policy. Starting
Monday, April 3, 2023, masking will now be optional for patients and visitors
while in Confluence Health facilities. Patients and visitors will still
be recommended to mask to help protect the most vulnerable patients, but
this will no longer be a requirement for entry. However, Confluence Health
will not be making changes to its masking requirements for staff and providers
at this time. Masking will continue to be required in clinical areas and
areas generally accessible to the public, including common hallways, for
all Confluence Health employees.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces Update to Employment Vaccination Policy
Starting March 1, 2023, Confluence Health will begin allowing staff who were unable to work onsite due to not having received the initial COVID-19 vaccination series to again work onsite at Confluence Health facilities after meeting certain requirements. “This change in policy reflects our shift in status within the wider pandemic and the needs of our communities,” commented Dr. Jason Lake, chief medical officer of Confluence Health. “While vaccinations continue to be vital in our ability to address the needs of public health, the transition to a post-pandemic world allows us greater flexibility in requirements moving forward.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces CNO Transition
Beginning February 20th, 2023, Tracey Kasnic will transition from serving
as chief nursing officer (CNO) to a new role as vice president of special
projects for Confluence Health. At the same time, Kelly Allen, Confluence
Health’s CNO-elect for nearly a year, will step into the CNO role.
In addition, Deb Glenn will assume the director of nursing services role
previously held by Kasnic at Confluence Health Hospital | Mares Campus,
while also continuing to serve as post anesthesia care manager.
Click here to read the full press release.
Wildly Caring: Confluence Health Partners with Wenatchee Wild to Fight Cancer.
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Partnering with the Wenatchee Wild, Confluence Health presented the Hockey
Fights Cancer night at this past Saturday’s game against the Prince
George Spruce Kings with $3 from every fundraising ticket sold going towards
causes that support the fight against cancer. In addition to the game,
hockey fans also received rally towels to show their support, had the
opportunity to snag a photo with Walt the Wolf, and browsed various booths
and activities with information about local cancer support services. An
auction for Wenatchee Wild hockey jerseys specially designed for the event
was also held, with all proceeds going to support cancer programs. The
event saw the largest turnout to a Wenatchee Wild home game since February
1, 2020 with 3,521 community members turning out to do their part to fight cancer.
Click here to read the full press release.
2022 Articles:
A Show of Light and Love: Local Emergency Services Parade at Confluence Health Hospital | Central Campus.
Christmas Eve was a bit brighter for patients, staff, and providers at Confluence Health as local emergency services came together to spread some holiday cheer to those who needed it most. Organized by Shawn Ballard from Ballard Ambulance, the procession involved EMS, fire, and law enforcement driving with their emergency lights flashing through the Confluence Health Hospital | Central Campus parking lots to send a message of support and encouragement to those looking on from the hospital tower.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Emergency Departments Ask Residents to Help Prioritize Patients with Severe Illness – Wednesday, December 1, 2022
Due to high volumes of community members seeking care in emergency departments,
patients are experiencing longer than normal wait times. Far from being
only a local issue, this is a state and national challenge that all hospital
systems are currently experiencing.
Click here to read the full press release.
Saving Time, Saving Lives: Confluence Health Nationally Honored for Supply Chain Innovations Using A.I. Digital Assistant – Wednesday, November 16, 2022
In healthcare, a few minutes can make a massive difference, so having access
to supplies as fast as possible is not a matter of convenience, but a
matter of life and death.
Click here to read the full press release.
Dedicated To the Mission: Veteran Finds Aligned Values, Security At Confluence Health A Natural Continuation Of Service – Thursday, November 3, 2022
Upon returning home from his tours of duty as a hospital corpsman for the
U.S. Navy, James Herron knew that he wanted to continue to help others.
Click here to read the full press release.
With State of Emergency End, Confluence Health Announces Covid-19 Policy Changes – Tuesday, November 1, 2022
With the end of Washington State’s COVID-19 state of emergency order
yesterday after Governor Inslee’s announcement, Confluence Health
will be updating restrictions and guidelines for their facilities.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Will Focus Hiring on Clinical Positions to Ensure Sustainable Patient Services – Monday, October 31, 2022
Confluence Health recently announced that it would focus its hiring on
fulfilling clinical positions. Employees to fill clinical positions which
directly administer, and support patient care are being actively recruited.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Consolidates PCUs to Better Ensure Sustainable Patient Services – Tuesday. October 25, 2022
By November 7th, Confluence Health will consolidate their Progressive Care
Unit (PCU) services within Confluence Health Hospital | Central Campus.
Unlike intensive care units (ICUs), PCUs are intermediate levels of care
and work with patients who are more stable or do not require as much demanding
care as an ICU patient.
Click here to read the full press release.
A Helping Hand: Patient Need Prompts Creative, Cost-Saving Solution at Confluence Health – Wednesday, October 19, 2022
In early 2020, Confluence Health needed to ensure all had information about
COVID-19 but recognized a difficulty in outreach.
Click here to read the full press release.
Active Shooter Exercise Tests and Strengthens Regional Healthcare and First Responder Preparedness – Wednesday, October 12, 2022
On Saturday, October 8th, Confluence Health partnered with Samaritan Healthcare
and regional partners to hold a full-scale active shooter exercise in
Moses Lake.
Click here to read the full press release.
Not with Wands but with Willpower: ‘Godmothers of Health’ Partner with Confluence Health to Expand Vaccination Access and Healthcare Equity – Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Messaging can be hard, especially for something as novel and unknown as
COVID-19 when the entire world struggled to understand the magnitude of
the issue in early 2020. In the early days of the pandemic, Confluence
Health knew there was a need to ensure all communities had access to information
about COVID-19, but also recognized that a difficulty in outreach existed.
Click here to read the full press release.
Regional Healthcare Facilities Partner for Safety and Preparedness Exercise – Wednesday, September 28, 2022
On October 8th, Confluence Health will partner with Samaritan Healthcare
and regional partners to hold a full-scale active shooter exercise in
Moses Lake.
Click here to read the full press release.
Open Hearts: A Willingness to Grow Is at The Core of Great Patient Care – Thursday, September 22, 2022
Process improvement work in most jobs can be a dry affair: efforts at small
adjustments to aid a bottom line, tweaks to be more efficient, or streamlining
some steps deliver a widget to market faster. But when your business is
open-heart surgery, process improvements take on a whole new level of
importance and seriousness.
Click here to read the full press release.
New Confluence Health PACU Designed for Patients, Alongside Staff, With an Eye for The Future – Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Confluence Health recently opened its newly expanded PACU which doubles
its available beds to 20 to allow for better care of patients while supporting
12 operating rooms.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Breaks Ground on New Radiation Treatment Center in Moses Lake – Thursday , September 1, 2022
A top priority that has been in the works for several years, the groundbreaking
on the $14.5 million facility represents a triumph for Moses Lake and
for cancer patients in the region.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Announces Changes to Naming of Hospitals and Other Locations – Monday, August 22, 2022
Confluence Health announced this week that it will be transitioning its
naming conventions for its hospitals and other locations by summer of
2023 to increase clarity and allow for smoother services for patients.
Though the name is changing, Confluence Health’s commitment to care is not.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Board Approves Construction of New Radiation Treatment Center in Moses Lake – Friday, August 12, 2022
Confluence Health announced this week that their board formally approved
the building of a new state-of-the-art radiation treatment center in Moses Lake.
Click here to read the full press release.
Confluence Health Invests in The Healthcare Leaders of Tomorrow – Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Confluence Health is proud to bring local teens the CSI Program (Caring
Student Interns). The CSI program is for teens between the ages of 14
and 15, with an interest in learning about health careers.
Click here to read the full press release.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Confluence Health Partner to Expand Access to Specialty Medications – Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Today, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and Confluence Health announced
the creation of Madrona Health, LLC, a new joint venture to expand specialty
pharmacy services across the Pacific Northwest.
Click here to read the full press release.
WSNA Nursing Members Vote to Ratify New Contract with Confluence Health – Monday, July 18, 2022
Local members of the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) union voted
June 30th to ratify a new three-year contract negotiated with Confluence
Health. WSNA represents in-patient nurses employed at Confluence Health
Hospital | Central Campus.
