Health Care

Providence merger proposal advances

Transaction could wrap up in next few months

May 5, 2016

A proposed merger between Providence Health & Services, the Renton, Wash.-based parent of Spokane-based Providence Health Care, and smaller California-based St. Joseph Health has cleared a hurdle and appears to have one significant one remaining.

North Side pediatric clinic plans to expand

Work to start next month on $1.8 million project

April 21, 2016

The North Spokane Center for Pediatric Therapy has submitted a predevelopment application to the city of Spokane for an addition and interior remodel with an estimated construction cost of $1.8 million. The two-level therapy clinic is located at 6710 N.

Alzheimer's care center strives to preserve memories

Pine Ridge workers trained in 'Meaningful Moments'

April 21, 2016

Sandy Davidson, administrator at Pine Ridge Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Spokane Valley, says a key part of caring for patients there involves learning about their histories so as to be able to help them recall and share past memories.

Developing a different approach to dementia care

DAWN method creator stresses client well-being

April 21, 2016

Treva Lind

Senior caregiver Judy Cornish realized a few years ago that her dementia patients relaxed more if she chatted with them regularly about what was happening. Her friendly bantering used intentional words giving clients needed information to offset their l

Premera restructures, eliminates 33 positions here

Organization encourages those affected to reapply

April 21, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Premera Blue Cross has eliminated 33 positions in its Spokane operation as part of a larger restructuring in which the Mountlake Terrace, Wash-based health plan provider has confirmed the layoff of 165 employees in all. Tom Messick, vice president and g

PAML's lab-test volume grew by 7 percent last year

Company says it's looking at Southeast 'opportunity'

April 7, 2016

Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories LLC, the Spokane-based national reference laboratory, had another strong year in 2015, experiencing requisition volume growth of 7 percent, says Patty Sipes, PAML's senior vice president of sales, marketing and

Rockwood Health's parent posts fourth-quarter loss

CEO says results affected by lower patient volumes

March 10, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

In its year-end financial results, CHS reported a fourth-quarter loss of $83 million, or 73 cents per share, compared with net income of $100 million, or 88 cents per share, in the year-earlier quarter. Revenue in the fourth quarter also fell slightly to

Inland Northwest cancer care restructured

Summit network opens new Post Falls location

March 10, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Four cancer-care medical practices have restructured and changed their names to Summit Cancer Centers in the latest shifting in cancer care services here. Dr. Arvind Chaudhry, medical oncologist and director of Summit Cancer Centers, says this new integr

Cardiometabolic prevention targets sleep disorders

Earlier treatment could stave off host of issues

February 25, 2016

Dr. Liana Groza

Health insurance costs per employee have risen by close to two-thirds over the past 10 years, and employers have more reasons than ever to try to control health care expenses. Indeed, for a long time, many of them have understood the importance of impleme

Conference on rural health set for March

Event here expected to draw 300 people

February 25, 2016

Samantha Peone

Bringing together health care industry representatives from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska, the annual Northwest Rural Health Conference will be held Tuesday, March 15, to Thursday, March 17, at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokan