By PeaceHealth PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center located in Bellingham, Washington, has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for its patient care and outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center among the elite for cardiothoracic surgery in  Continue Reading

By Louise Dustrude The threat to Hospice of the Northwest has been covered extensively in the press, most recently in the Journal. Briefly, this national-award-winning hospice organization is under threat of being sold to a for-profit investment firm, and its scope of operations reduced substantially. At the same time, the risks of close human contact  Continue Reading

By San Juan County A positive COVID-19 test result has been reported for a Lopez Island resident. This is the 39th case in San Juan County. The ongoing investigation indicates that transmission was likely due to off-island travel. The recent surge in cases across the country provides an opportunity to refresh ourselves on how to  Continue Reading

By San Juan County Another positive COVID-19 test result has been reported for an Orcas Island resident. This is the 38th case reported in San Juan County. The case has occurred in a close household contact of a recent Orcas Island case. Ongoing investigations show that the four most recent cases on Orcas Island are  Continue Reading

By Washington State Department of Health The Washington State Department of Health released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission, which shows a general rise in the intensity of the epidemic in both western and eastern Washington. Report findings include:

By San Juan County One new positive COVID-19 test result has been reported in San Juan County, for an Orcas Island resident. This is the 37th case reported in San Juan County. Based on comprehensive interviews, it appears there is a connection between this test result and a previously confirmed case. Testing and monitoring are  Continue Reading

By Compass Health Compass Health’s Building Communities of Hope Gala raised more than $165,000 in support of the organization’s child, youth and family behavioral health services during a virtual event held on World Mental Health Day, Saturday, Oct. 10.  Funds exceeded Compass Health’s goals by $15,000, as more than 250 community members gathered virtually to  Continue Reading

By Washington State Department of Health The Washington State Department of Health continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. This week, DOH is encouraging healthcare providers to prepare to enroll as approved COVID-19 vaccine providers, and we sent an official letter to them with information on how to enroll. Provider enrollment is  Continue Reading

By San Juan County As we head into winter, sore throats, stuffy noses and fevers become far more common. This year, the risk of COVID heightens our awareness and concern. We’ve always been asked to stay home when sick, but what does that mean?

By San Juan County One new positive COVID-19 test result has been reported in San Juan County, for an Orcas Island resident who is a close household contact of the Orcas resident reported as positive on Oct. 26. This is the 36th case reported in San Juan County. Given the close household proximity of the  Continue Reading

The next San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 regular board meeting is at 5:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, Oct. 28. This meeting is fully online due to COVID-19, and members of the public may join by dialing 509-473-0276 and entering 279 885 068#. Note that the phone number has changed from previous board meetings.  Continue Reading

By San Juan County Two new positive COVID-19 test results have been reported in San Juan County; one for an Orcas Island resident, and one for a resident of San Juan Island. Both cases appear to have come from off-island contact with infected individuals. These are the 34th and 35th cases in San Juan County.  Continue Reading

By Washington State Department of Health The Washington State Department of Health continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. Today we posted our interim vaccine distribution plan. Now, as one component of a larger engagement strategy, the department is seeking additional feedback to help us understand the best ways to equitably distribute the  Continue Reading

By Peace Island Medical Center October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and women at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center can utilize the benefits of three-dimensional technology as part of their mammography screening and breast health practices. Digital screening mammography complements the growing portfolio of diagnostic imaging services, which include state-of-the-art CT scanning, X-ray, echocardiography  Continue Reading

Living Medical Arts PLLC in Friday Harbor is growing. We are expanding our staff and currently looking for an office assistant. The position is year-round, approximately 30 day-time hours per week, with some benefits and in-house training. The right “can-do” person who thrives in a fast-paced office environment will have ample opportunity for growth. Those  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… The concept of “blue zones” grew out of a demographic study identifying Sardina, Italy as a region with a high concentration of centenarians. Researchers who drew concentric blue circles on maps highlighting villages of extreme longevity began to refer  Continue Reading