As the newly appointed chief operating officer of Providence Medical Group, an organization serving our community for over 150 years, I am pleased to share an update and reflection on our role in promoting a healthier and more prosperous community.

This year marks a significant milestone as we welcome the addition of 18 new primary-care providers who will join us in Spokane in 2024. This expansion signifies more than just a numerical growth in our team; it symbolizes our dedication to meeting the evolving health care needs of our community and enhancing the overall welfare of our residents.

The recruitment of these new providers comes at a crucial juncture. With our community experiencing substantial growth in recent years, there is a mounting need for comprehensive and accessible health care services. Primary-care providers serve as the frontline caregivers, playing a pivotal role in preventive care, early illness detection, and chronic condition management and referrals to pediatric, medical, and surgical specialists in the area. By bolstering our team, we are taking significant steps toward the Providence mission of ensuring that every individual in our community has access to top-tier health care precisely when they need it.

Beyond their essential function of patient care, health care facilities and clinics play a vital role in the economic and social framework of our community. The recruitment of new physicians opens myriad job opportunities across a wide spectrum, not just for nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff, but also for a range of additional roles including behavioral health professionals, prescription refill technicians, and virtual care clinicians, amplifying access to virtual care services and virtual care visits. Our primary-care teams also partner with Providence Urgent Care and Providence Express Care to deliver care on weekends and evenings when patients need care and clinics are closed or schedule availability does not align with patient needs.

The growth of health care also has a ripple effect on the broader workforce. A study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute in 2019 underlines that for every job established in the health care sector, two supplementary jobs are generated in other industries through a multiplier effect. The evolving care delivery models at Providence now include enhanced clinical support for primary care providers, enabling them to bridge the widening gap between population growth and health care access.

In addition to bolstering employment and offering essential community services, health clinics contribute to the local economy by purchasing goods and services from local businesses and supporting governmental structures through tax revenues. Our expansion not only enhances health care accessibility but also bolsters the economic vibrancy of our community.

Since its inception in 1886, Providence has been committed to serving the Spokane community. Through initiatives such as investing $2.1 billion in charitable contributions across our seven-state footprint in 2023, providing free services to the most vulnerable through the Providence Community Clinic on Second Avenue in downtown Spokane, and collaborating with local educational institutions, we strive to have a positive impact on the well-being of our neighbors.

The challenges of recent years have underscored the critical need for resilient and well-equipped health care systems. This propels Providence to expand services further and engage in innovative care models that leverage technology to optimize patient outcomes and cater to the diverse needs of the Spokane community.

Carmen Green is chief operating officer of Providence Medical Group, which includes more than 90 specialty and primary care clinics and over 850 clinicians in the Inland Northwest.