Health Care

Working the unemployment system

Many people are making more on unemployment than in jobs, some say

July 30, 2020

While the number of people unemployed in Washington state is falling slowly, a combination of fear of contracting COVID-19 and an additional $600 in weekly federal pandemic unemployment benefits have led some people to refuse to return to work, some

Medcurity nets second investment from West Side

SeaChange puts $500,000 into medical-records startup

July 16, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Medical records-tech company Medcurity Inc. says it has secured a second round of funding this year from a West Side investment firm. The firm, SeaChange Fund, invested $500,000 in Spokane-based Medcurity earlier this month. SeaChange, founded in 2018

Selkirk Pharma expands vision for West Plains plant

Plans on file with city show startup intends to employ 320 people

July 16, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Selkirk Pharma Inc.'s envisioned manufacturing plant on the West Plains will be more than double the size originally indicated, emerging details show. The Spokane-based injectable-drug manufacturing and packaging startup could break ground on the

Inland Northwest Spine adds new robotic microscope

Modus V said to ease surgeries, allow student viewing of operations

July 2, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Inland Northwest Spine & Neurosurgery PLLC, of Coeur d'Alene, has a new piece of operating room equipment that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Douglas Blaty says is a vast improvement over previous tools. The Modus V digital microscope, produced by

Empire Eye breaks ground on $3.9 million project in Spokane Valley

Company plans to move Valley office in mid-2021

July 2, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Empire Eye Physicians PS, of Spokane Valley, has broken ground on a new facility and expects to move into its new space in mid-2021. The facility, to be called Empire Eye Physicians & Empire Eye Surgery Center, will be located at 16010 E. Indiana, in

UW satellite clinic offers liver treatment services

Providers partner with local doctors, provide consultations

July 2, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Two liver specialists with the University of Washington say they've provided liver treatment consultations to over 200 patients with acute and chronic liver disorders throughout the university's year-old medicine-liver clinic in Spokane and have plans

Excelsior to treat unwilling patients under Ricky's Law

Eight beds designated for involuntary care

July 2, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Spokane's Excelsior Youth Center is now prepared to treat minors who have been placed in inpatient treatment involuntarily for behavioral health and addiction issues.

At 30, Sacred Heart's heart transplant program looks to grow

Group looks to add surgeon to team that performs 20-30 transplants yearly

July 2, 2020

Kevin Blocker

In its 30th year of operation, the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Heart Transplant program now has completed 339 heart transplants. Moving forward, the program's team leaders say they desire to continue expanding the unit.

WorkWell starts to offer new COVID-19 home test

Screenings sent to lab in Midwest for analysis

June 18, 2020

Kevin Blocker

WorkWell Consultants LLC, of Spokane, has begun offering a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID-19 at-home test for employers and individuals.

Providence starts ElderPlace program in Spokane

Health care provider opens office on North Side, hopes to serve 120 by year's end

June 18, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Providence ElderPlace, a care system for the elderly, has opened its first Spokane-area PACE health and social services care clinic. The Spokane office for PACE, short for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is located at 6018 N. Astor