PORT TOWNSEND — Community members have one more opportunity to sit in on an online listening session where they can ask questions, offer feedback and learn about Jefferson Healthcare’s draft 2023-2025 strategic plan.
On Monday, CEO Mike Glenn presents the public hospital’s priorities, defines its goals and outlines the plans for achieving them.
The first part of the one-hour session consists of a Powerpoint overview of the draft plan followed by an opportunity for comment.
The Jefferson Healthcare draft 2023-2025 strategic plan virtual listening session will be form 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. The link can be found at tinyurl.com/5n89kvp3.
The draft 2023-2025 strategic plan can be found at tinyurl.com/2cwbnrdk.
Comments and feedback regarding the 2023-2025 draft strategic plan can be mailed to Commissioners, 834 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368; or emailed to commissioners@jeffersonhealthcare.org.
It is the third and final community listening session, although the public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft strategic plan at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 16 as well as its Dec. 21 meeting, when it will likely be asked to vote to approve it.
According to the draft strategic plan, Jefferson Healthcare is the county’s largest employer with more than 800 employees. In addition to a 25-bed hospital, it owns and operates six rural health clinics, five primary care clinics, a dental and express clinic and nine speciality care clinics. It also operates Jefferson Healthcare Home Health and Hospice Service.
There is not a lot new in the 2023-2025 draft strategic plan, Glenn said during an Oct. 28 listening session.
Jefferson Healthcare continues to focus its energies on meeting goals carried over from the 2022 plan, including delivering high-quality care, being a great place to work, remaining financially independent and supporting community health and wellness, he said.
The most significant change from last year is a $75 million hospital expansion and modernization project, which commissioners voted in July to move ahead on but without a bond levy.
Demolition is scheduled to start next July followed by construction starting in August with a completion date of January 2025.
Not included in the draft budget presentation are details about the 2023 budget, which the board approved at its Oct. 26 meeting. The board also approved at that same meeting a 1 percent levy increase.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@soundpublishing.com.
