Health Care

March 2027 opening slated for Vineyard Park

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A March 2027 opening is now slated for a new five-story senior living community, dubbed Vineyard Park North Spokane, at 7609 N. Division, bringing 128 new units to Spokane's North Side.

Riverview Retirement secures accreditation

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Riverview Retirement Community has earned accreditation for its RiverCare home health division, expanding services to meet a surge in seniors who are choosing to age in place rather than move to a facility.

Federal funding triples in Spokane to $23M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-area companies are capturing substantially more federal research funding than they were 15 years ago.

MultiCare plans to shut down multiple health clinics

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

MultiCare Health System plans to close several Rockwood clinics by the end of 2026 due to financial challenges in the health care industry.

Craft3 invests $35M in Eastern Washington projects

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Craft3, a nonprofit community lender that helps finance projects in underserved communities, has finalized two investments into Eastern Washington valued at $35.5 million.

$4M residential care facility planned in the Valley

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A Liberty Lake-based residential care company is erecting a new $4 million, 16-bed residential treatment facility on a more than three-fourths acre parcel at 18101 E. Appleway in Spokane Valley.

Post Falls hospital transitions to rehab use

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, at 600 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls, will cease operations as a long-term acute care hospital in October and begin operating as an extension of Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest.

2026 Rising Stars: Peter Mahoney

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Peter Mahoney, a member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, is the wellness services director for Plummer, Idaho-based Marimn Health, where his department manages two facilities: the Marimn Health Wellness Center and the Marimn Health Coeur Center.

2026 Rising Stars: Hannah Kimball

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Attorney Hannah Kimball joined Coeur d’Alene-based Malek + Malek in May, where she helps rural hospitals, healthcare nonprofits, and other health system clients manage their legal obligations.

Many INW companies dodged impacts of food recalls

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Spokane-area health officials and food distributors are saying the region has largely avoided direct impacts of the national foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls impacting Americans this summer.

MultiCare plans to shut down eye clinics

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:52:55 -0400

Vision care services in the Spokane area will be impacted in the new year, as three MultiCare Rockwood eye clinics will close in Spokane County effective Dec. 31.

Bouncing Back: Spokane's plans for rebuilding

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane is preparing to accelerate debris removal, testing permits, and reconstruction efforts as property owners affected by the Spokane Complex Fires face what officials expect will be a lengthy rebuilding effort.

Four INW companies make Inc. 5000 list

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Four Inland Northwest-based businesses have made Inc. business magazine’s annual list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the country.

Catching up with: Dr. Bob Lutz, former SRHD health officer

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Although he considers himself partially retired, Dr. Bob Lutz continues to find ways to keep caring for the well-being of the public.

LaunchPad INW nabs bioscience ecosystem grant

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

LaunchPad Inland Northwest Foundation has secured a $100,000 grant as it expands its InnovateINW initiative to include partnerships, an AI & Cyber Network, and programming aimed at helping businesses adapt to artificial intelligence.

Long-term care sector faces increasing pressure

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The population of adults age 85 and older in the Spokane area is projected to nearly quadruple, rising from 10,700 in 2025 to 40,400 by 2050 — a significantly higher growth rate than any other age group over the next 25 years. As the demographic grows older, the long-term care sector is expected to face higher demand for assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and adult family homes, creating new opportunities — and challenges — for providers across the region.

Rehabilitation hospital planned in Post Falls

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Encompass Health Corp., a Birmingham, Alabama-based healthcare provider, is planning to build a new 50-bed rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls.

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.