Health Care

Group Health sought partnership with Kaiser Permanente

$1.8 billion acquisition still at least a year away

February 25, 2016

Continuous change in the health care industry served as the driving impetus for Group Health Cooperative as it started pursuing a partner a few years ago. That pursuit culminated at the end of last year when Oakland-based health insurer Kaiser Permanente

Gonzaga, UW partner on medical education

Up to 100 med-school students to take classes on GU campus starting next fall

February 24, 2016

Staff Report

Gonzaga University and the University of Washington announced this morning that they have signed an agreement through which Gonzaga will teach first- and second-year medical students on its campus starting next fall. Gonzaga spokeswoman Mary Joan Hahn

CHAS opens urgent care center in Spokane Valle

Clinic is second walk-in facility started by nonprofit provider

February 11, 2016

Mike McLean

The clinic, Spokane Urgent Care-Valley, occupies roughly 6,000 square feet of space in the upper floor of a two-story medical office building that CHAS owns at 1512 N. Vercler, just east of Valley Hospital, says Matt Grebe, CHAS spokesman.

Providence to develop psychiatric hospital

100-bed facility expected to cost about $37 million

February 11, 2016

Providence Health Care, which operates Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital, Providence Holy Family Hospital, and other Inland Northwest facilities, will partner with Kirkland-based Fairfax Behavioral Health to build and operate

Inland Northwest Blood Center plans collection center on Spokane's North Side

Donation site will be open three days a week initially

January 28, 2016

Mike McLean

Inland Northwest Blood Center has leased 1,200 square feet of space at 10403 N. Newport Highway, where it plans to open a new blood collection center in February, says Jennifer Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Spokane-based nonprofit. The collection center

St. Luke's increases role of Pilates in its rehab regimens

Exercise method said well-suited for women

January 14, 2016

St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, at 711 S. Cowley, has incorporated more Pilates-related training into rehabilitation regimens for patients in recent years.

Using 'language of music' as therapeutic tool

Practitioner often treats artistic, sensitive people

January 14, 2016

Stacey Denny

Kim McMillin describes music as her language, one she has helped others become fluent in through her business, The Center for Music Therapy.

Working out niches

Boutique, women-focused studios grow in number here

January 14, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Among the popular fitness trends in recent years-including in the Spokane area-is a growing number of personalized fitness studios, or boutique gym settings.

Associated Construction starts Deaconess project

Patient-room renovations slated on two top floors

January 14, 2016

Associated Construction Inc., of Spokane, has started work on interior improvements to the top two floors of the 10-story, patient-room tower at Deaconess Hospital, located at 800 W. Fifth on Spokane's lower South Hill.

Ginno wins job to construct Sandpoint health facility

$1.7 million project set for completion in spring

January 14, 2016

Mike McLean

The Panhandle Health District has awarded Ginno Construction Co., of Coeur d'Alene, a $1.7 million contract to construct a public health facility in Sandpoint.