Summit Pacific Medical Center

Congratulations to Our RIP It Award Winners! This spring, our Urgent Care team noticed a challenge: patients waiting in exam rooms for lab or imaging results were limiting room availability and slowing triage. Thanks to staff speaking up during huddles, the Unit-Based Team (UBT) dug deeper—observing workflow, reviewing turnaround times, and gathering input from both frontline staff and providers. Their findings showed patients could safely wait in the lobby, freeing up exam rooms and improving triage efficiency. A provider-led workflow, refined with nursing and operations, launched in May with staff training Since implementation, the results have been clear: ✅ Better room utilization ✅ Improved patient flow ✅ Faster triage ✅ Quicker identification of higher-acuity patients This project is a shining example of strong frontline collaboration and Summit’s commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional care. The RIP (Request, Idea, or Problem) It Award celebrates departments that identify a process challenge through their Unit-Based Team and create an innovative improvement that demonstrates: • Relevance & impact • Creativity & innovation • Feasibility & alignment • Exceptional teamwork & collaboration Congratulations again to this outstanding team for driving meaningful change and improving patient care at Summit Pacific!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Summit Pacific! Today, we pause to celebrate the joy of gratitude, the warmth of community, and the togetherness of loved ones. Thank you for trusting us with your care and for being part of our mission to make Grays Harbor the healthiest community in the nation. We are truly grateful for you and the incredible community we serve. If you need care today, our Emergency Department is open 24/7. All other Summit Pacific clinics are closed for the holiday and will resume normal business hours tomorrow. Wishing you a safe, warm, and joyful Thanksgiving!

Happy National Rural Health Day! Today, we celebrate the innovation, resilience, and collaboration that make rural healthcare strong. At Summit Pacific Medical Center, this day offers an opportunity to highlight how partnership and preventive care are transforming health in Grays Harbor County through programs like Summit Care and Food as Medicine (Food Rx). Rural communities face unique challenges—limited access to care, higher rates of chronic disease, and barriers to preventive services. Summit Pacific and Wellpoint Washington, a Medicaid managed care organization serving residents across the state, are working together to tackle these challenges head-on. Through this partnership, Summit Care expands access, integrates preventive care into daily life, and strengthens both mental and physical well-being. Food Rx, supported by the same collaboration, brings nutritious ingredients, recipes, and health support directly into the homes of high-risk patients—showing how creativity and teamwork can create measurable improvements in rural health. “National Rural Health Day is about celebrating solutions that work for rural communities,” said Josh Martin, CEO of Summit Pacific Medical Center. “Summit Care and Food Rx are exactly the kinds of programs this day honors—they show how prevention, collaboration, and community focus can improve lives long before someone ever enters the hospital.” Now in its fifth year, Food Rx serves more than 125 patients and their families across Grays Harbor County with weekly ingredients, nutritionist consultations, and support for exercise and mental wellness. Participants are referred by their primary care providers, ensuring nutrition and prevention are integrated into their overall care plans. By combining Summit Pacific’s local insight with Wellpoint Washington’s statewide resources, this partnership demonstrates a powerful model for sustainable, person-centered rural healthcare. The National Rural Health Association’s recognition of Food Rx further underscores how this work embodies the spirit of National Rural Health Day. Want to learn more about Summit Care? Talk with your Summit Pacific provider about whether the program may be right for you. A list of providers is available on our website: www.sp-mc.org #NationalRuralHealthDay #RuralHealth #FoodAsMedicine #FoodRx #SummitCare #CommunityHealth #SummitPacific

Free Community Education Opportunity Holiday Stress & Your Health: How to Strengthen Your Resilience Join Summit Pacific for a free live webinar with Dr. Jarik Conrad, who will share how to reprogram your Behavioral Operating System™—the internal software that shapes how you think, feel, and respond under pressure. Use this link to register and join the webinar: https://lnkd.in/gdmNNDP8 For many people, the holidays bring both joy and stress—leading to rising blood pressure, emotional fatigue, and even a spike in ER visits and heart-related emergencies every December and January. But these outcomes aren’t random—they’re predictable responses to stress, poor sleep, disrupted routines, and emotional overload. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to: • Identify biological and behavioral triggers that drain your energy and joy. • Apply evidence-informed strategies to calm your nervous system and reset faster. • Build a personalized resilience plan to protect your health and relationships all season long. Don’t miss this opportunity to support your well-being during the busiest time of year!

Summit Pacific Medical Center Hosts State and Rural Health Leaders for Campus Tour and Discussion on Rural Healthcare Access Summit Pacific Medical Center (SPMC) welcomed key state healthcare leaders recently for an in-depth tour and discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping rural healthcare in Washington State. Among the guests were Ryan Moran, Director of the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA), and Elya Prystowsky, Executive Director of The Rural Collaborative. Their visit centered on how rural hospitals like Summit Pacific are innovating to strengthen access, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure sustainability in the face of shifting healthcare demands. During the visit, participants discussed the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery, from workforce shortages and reimbursement reform to behavioral health integration, community wellness initiatives, and the role of telehealth in expanding access. Summit Pacific leaders also shared insights from recent projects, including the development of specialty services, the expansion of behavioral health resources, and the success of programs designed to keep care local while improving quality. “Conversations like these are essential for shaping the future of healthcare in Washington,” said Josh Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Summit Pacific Medical Center. “We deeply value our partnership with the Health Care Authority and The Rural Collaborative. Together, we can find solutions that sustain and strengthen rural hospitals while ensuring that every Washingtonian—no matter where they live—has access to the care they need.” Guests toured Summit Pacific’s Wellness Center and hospital campus, gaining firsthand insight into the organization’s integrated approach to care. By combining preventive services, primary care, behavioral health, and wellness programs under one roof, SPMC continues to serve as a model for how rural systems can reimagine care delivery.

Last Thursday, we gathered to celebrate an incredible milestone — the retirement of Dr. Hutton. Thank you to everyone who joined us to share memories, laughter, and stories. It was truly special to hear the impact Dr. Hutton has made throughout his years of caring for our community. From colleagues to long-time patients, the room was full of gratitude and love. To Dr. Hutton’s past and present patients who came to express their thanks and share meaningful moments — your words reminded us just how deeply he has touched the lives of so many. Dr. Hutton, thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to patient care. Your legacy lives on in every life you’ve healed and every heart you’ve uplifted. Please join us in wishing him the very best in his next chapter — one filled with joy and new adventures.

Summit Pacific is proud to recognize Mandy Robling as the newest BEE (Being Exceptional Everyday) Award honoree! This award celebrates caregivers who go above and beyond to create meaningful and compassionate patient experiences. One patient recently shared: “Mandy was so sweet and caring. I was having a difficult time during my exam after recently losing the love of my life. Mandy sensed I was struggling. She paused everything, sat with me, talked with me, and didn’t rush me— even though I knew it made her late. She stayed with me until I was okay and ready to continue. She even walked me out, got me water, and made sure I made it to my car safely. I hope I get to see her again to thank her for her kindness.” Thank you, Mandy, for leading with compassion, patience, and heart. Your care makes a difference — every single day. Do you know a Summit Pacific caregiver who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate them for the BEE Award today by using this link; https://bit.ly/3Ge52H8 #SPMC #BEEAward #CareWithCompassion #PatientFirst

Please join us in congratulating Lauren Purbaugh for receiving the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses! Lauren was recognized for her patient and compassionate care, going above and beyond to ensure her patients and their families felt informed, supported, and cared for. “Lauren went above and beyond, making sure my husband understood everything that was going on. She shared stories with him about medical advances that help in the field—he was a medic. She also showed me how the blood pressure cuff works, which is so helpful since both my son and husband have high blood pressure. She was everything you would want in an ER nurse.” Lauren, your kindness, compassion, and dedication make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and the entire Summit Pacific community. Congratulations, Lauren, on this well-deserved honor! #DAISYAward #ExtraordinaryNurse #CompassionateCare #SummitPacific

An Evening of Elegance, Laughter & Connection Join the Summit Pacific Medical Foundation for an elegant evening featuring socializing, inspiring guest speakers on women’s health, a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Brandon, exciting raffles, and more! Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Summit Pacific Wellness Center – Ortquist Conference Room 610 E Main St, Elma, WA 98541 To get tickets to this exclusive event, follow this link to register: https://bit.ly/46jPxI7 *Limit of 2 guests per registration

This week is National EVS Week, where we celebrate the unsung heroes of infection prevention—our Environmental Services (EVS) team! When patients walk into Summit Pacific, the very first thing they notice is the cleanliness of our facilities, a vital part of keeping everyone safe and comfortable. Through every challenge and change, our EVS staff have remained resilient and dedicated, working tirelessly behind the scenes to protect others from harmful pathogens. Thank you to the entire Summit Pacific EVS team for your unwavering commitment, attention to detail, and the care you put into safeguarding our patients, caregivers, and community each and every day. #InfectionPrevention #EVSWeek #HealthcareHeroes #SummitStrong