PORT ANGELES — Dr. Paul Cunningham, chief medical officer at the Jamestown Family Health Clinic, updated the Olympic Medical Center board of commissioners on Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s health care building projects.
Groundbreaking for a 16-bed, in-patient psychiatric care facility will happen late in the third quarter this year with an estimated opening date sometime in early 2026, Cunningham said Wednesday. The facility will provide adult care only and will not treat teens.
Currently under construction on property purchased from OMC is a new dental clinic. The demand for dental services, particularly for low-income adults, is a primary driver for expanding its existing clinic, which does a good job treating children, he said.
There are no plans at the moment to expand the Jamestown Family Health Clinic’s primary care services with the two other projects underway, although the facility is crammed for space.
“For primary care, I think we’re set right now,” Cunningham said.
The tribe employs about 300 people in its medical, dental and healing clinics. While their mission is to first serve tribal elders and tribal members, the clinics serve all members of the wider community, Cunningham said.
The Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club was honored by the Olympic Medical Center board of commissioners at their Wednesday work session for contributing “Joy Quilts” — handmade quilts wrapped around a stuffed animal and tied with a ribbon — for pediatric patients.
Patient Experience Manager Sophia Rognlien told commissioners about the experience of a young girl with a developmental disability who had been given a baby elephant wrapped in a pink and purple blanket as a distraction when she became overwhelmed and agitated after surgery.
“It calmed her,” Rognlien said.
The stuffed animals in the Joy Quilts are donated by OMC employees and visitors. The club also creates quilts for individuals in OMC’s comfort care program.
Sunbonnet Sue Quilting Club was established in 1986 by Kennie Starzenski and Peggy Johnson. The Joy Quilt section of the club was started in 2000 by Loretta Bilow; eight of its 160 members attended the presentation.
“Thank you for the things you do for the community and how you touch the lives of the people who come into the hospital,” Board President Thom Hightower said.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
