PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center’s sleep medicine program has been rejuvenated.
Dr. Michael McDonald, a certified sleep physician with more than 30 years of experience, has taken the helm of a program that includes an accredited sleep lab in Port Angeles and a sleep clinic in Sequim.
The services will be consolidated into one sleep center at OMC’s Sequim plaza this summer.
“We are looking to develop a unified program in Sequim where the sleep lab — the nighttime place where we do our testing — and the daytime stuff where were do our clinical evaluations and things like that, all happen in the same place,” McDonald told the seven hospital commissioners Wednesday night.
“It’s going to make the delivery of health care for your patients and your friends and relatives who have sleep disorders much easier.”
OMC has been without its own sleep physician since August. The sleep lab is set to reopen Sunday.
Swedish affiliation
McDonald is the first physician to practice at OMC as a result of its affiliation with Swedish Medical Center.
He began seeing patients who suffer from insomnia, snoring, restless legs and other sleep disorders this week.
“We’re putting together and rejuvenating the sleep program that you had in the community and in the Peninsula for some time,” McDonald said.
“We’re doing some things we think that are exciting and different. We are looking at an expansion of the program to include pediatrics.
“Fortunately, we have the backdrop and the backbone of the Swedish sleep program to work with us, and that gives us just a lot of support for any of the more complicated cases that we can’t deal with.”
Dr. Rebecca Corley, OMC chief physician officer, said she met McDonald through a mutual acquaintance.
“From the moment I talked to him, I knew he would be a great asset to our community,” she said.
“As a bonus, he’s also affiliated with Swedish Sleep Medicine, which is one of the premier sleep groups in the entire United States, so that’s an added bonus for us.”
OMC approved its affiliation with Swedish last October.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Eric Lewis said OMC is designing the remolded sleep center. He said it will cost “well under $300,000” to construct.
“I think it will be a much better service if we can do everything in one location and free up space here at the hospital for inpatient beds,” Lewis said.
From 78 to 90 beds
Moving the sleep lab to Sequim would bring the hospital’s capacity from 78 to 90 beds, which Lewis described as a “much better situation for our community.”
McDonald is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. He spent the better part of his career working as a sleep physician and emergency medical technician in Portland, Ore.
Also introduced at Wednesday’s meeting was Stephenie Bennett, a certified physician assistant who works in nursing homes through OMC’s primary care group.
“I actually did a rotation here three years ago when I was a student,” Bennett said.
“I’ve been there for three months, and I just absolutely love it. It challenges me on so many levels I can’t even begin to say, but I’m tickled with the support and the reception I’ve gotten.”
McDonald is not the only sleep medicine doctor in the county.
Dr. Jakdej Nikomborirak, owner of the Sound Sleep Clinic at 512 E. Washington St., Suite 2, in Sequim offers treatment of sleeping disorders.
He is not affiliated with OMC.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
