Health Care

Operating room renovations eyed at Sacred Heart

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Providence is investing $9 million to modernize four operating rooms at Sacred Heart Medical Center, located at 101 W. Eighth in Spokane, as part of a multiyear project to revamp all 28 surgical rooms at the hospital.

Providence reorganizes behavioral health staffing

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As behavioral health patients at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center age and their medical needs grow more complex, the hospital is redesigning its staffing strategy for inpatient psychiatric services.

Whitworth launches new four-year nursing program

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Whitworth University will launch its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in fall 2027 to address the growing need for trained nurses across the Pacific Northwest.

Aging adults exceed capacity for care

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Washington state is on the leading edge of a demographic shift that is placing pressure on senior housing providers, long-term care operators, healthcare systems, and developers as the state's aging population grows substantially faster than the workforce and housing inventory needed to support it.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention, says CEO and founder James Marsh.

Strategic partnership reaches into communities

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Ten years ago, when the University of Washington and Gonzaga University announced a strategic partnership to expand health sciences education in Spokane, they were met with community and legislative support.

Kootenai Health debuts new surgical robot

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kootenai Health has added one of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical platforms available today to its main campus in Coeur d'Alene as part of a strategy to expand specialized care and invest in emerging medical technologies.

Meet & Greet with Danny Scalise, Spokane Regional Health District administrative officer

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Danny Scalise is the newest administrative officer for the Spokane Regional Health District. The Journal of Business sat down with Scalise to discuss his background in finance and public health, his goals for the health district under his leadership, and more.

Catching up with: Mary McDirmid, co-founder of All Needs Planning

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Mary McDirmid, co-founder of All Needs Planning, has co-authored a book designed to help educate and empower families caring for loved ones with disabilities as they navigate the complexities of wealth management, caregiving, and long-term planning.

Entrepreneur turns business success into legacy

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Since launching The Genova Foundation in February 2025, Mike and Sandi Genova have awarded or pledged $1.2 million in grants to nonprofits with initiatives in health care, youth, and economic development.

Spokane nonprofits see giving habits shift

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

While baby boomers currently favor supporting traditional Spokane area institutions such as hospitals and universities, a younger generation of givers is prioritizing social justice and environmental causes, often choosing to donate their time over money, some Spokane-area nonprofit leaders say.

2026 Icons: Elaine Couture

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Elaine Couture, former regional chief executive at Providence Health & Services who retired in 2021, is currently living her "best life," staying active and involved following a move to Arizona three years ago. Despite her relocation, her impact on the Spokane community remains anchored in the medical institutions she helped lead and expand over a distinguished 34-year career.

Premera, MultiCare contract dispute raises concerns

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A contract dispute between Premera Blue Cross and MultiCare Health System is putting thousands of Spokane-area workers and employers at risk of higher health care costs, or potential disruptions in care if the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the end of May.

Work begins on Reardan primary care clinic

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Site work is now underway for a new 4,100-square-foot primary care clinic in Reardan, Washington, and the $2.3 million facility is expected to open by Oct. 31.

County begins expansion of treatment center

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction of the new Spokane County Prevention, Assessment, Treatment, and Healing, or PATH, Crisis Relief and Sobering Center is underway at 1168 N. Cedar, less than a block west of the Spokane Transit Authority operations and maintenance building.

HSSA awards five Spokane startups $3.25M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County has awarded $3.25 million in grants to five health and bioscience businesses that will help the startups catalyze their research, create well-paying jobs, and create future economic growth in the county, a press release from the organization announced.

Five Takeaways: The Health of Health Care

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Aaron Wilson, the CEO of CHAS Health, to discuss the health of health care.

Businesses pay when ignoring drivers of health costs

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In Spokane and across Eastern Washington, health care affordability is no longer a future concern. It's already shaping decisions that local employers are making today about jobs, growth, and compensation.

Providence ElderPlace supports senior autonomy

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Every weekday at 10 a.m., seniors whose lives have been impacted by issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or injuries and frailties that come with aging arrive at Providence ElderPlace in Spokane's Nevada Heights neighborhood for four hours of adult day care.

Clarion Partners acquires The Grand at Spokane

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Grand at Spokane, a 137-unit senior living community, has been purchased by New York City-based real estate investment adviser Clarion Partners LLC, for $41 million.

Cheney Care Community advances expansion plans

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nonprofit senior care provider Cheney Care Community is moving forward with plans to develop dozens of independent living duplexes expanding its campus at 2219 N. Sixth, in Cheney.

Maplewood Software, StaffReady acquired

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Dallas-based Exa Capital LLC has acquired Spokane-based Maplewood Software Inc. and its spin-off, StaffReady, which is a trade name for NW Software Solutions Inc.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Sunshine Health Facilities Inc.

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Sunshine Health Facilities Inc. is a finalist for the 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier LLC has been named the winner of the Large Business of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Finalist: Community Health Association of Spokane, dba CHAS Health

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

CHAS Health is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the nonprofit category.

Prairie Medical Campus work to begin this month

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The first phase of construction for the Prairie Medical Campus in Post Falls is expected to kick off this month and conclude in December 2027.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Winner: Maddie's Place

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Maddie's Place has been named the winner of the Nonprofit of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

More funding sought for Spokane Veterans Home

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

To fund design work for a proposed new $146 million Spokane Veterans Home, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs has requested additional funding from the state Legislature as part of its 2026 supplemental budget.

Cancer Can't prepares to break ground in April

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Cancer Can’t, a Spokane-based nonprofit that supports adult cancer patients and their families in the Inland Northwest, has reached its $6 million fundraising goal and expects to break ground on its oncology lodging project in April, says Cancer Can't co-founder and board president Becky Van Keulen.

Organ recoveries have banner year

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

LifeCenter Northwest is capitalizing on a year of high performance following a record number of organs donated in Washington state and organs transplanted nationally in 2025.