Election 2017

CHELAN – Over the past couple of weeks, Lake Chelan Mirror (LCM) staff have been contacting candidates vying for various office seats throughout the community. This week will display the final responses from those that were missed in previous weeks.

Lake Chelan Community Hospital District 2 Position 5
 

Challenger Jerry Isenhart
Bio: I came to the valley in 1969 and acquired KOZI. In 1990 we acquired KULE Ephrata, and in 1998 I built KOHO radio. I sold those properties in the late 1990's. I launched GoLakeChelan.com  in 2001, and was honored by GWATA in 2004 as "Tech Savvy Business of the Year", and by the Lake Chelan Chamber as "Business of The Year" in 2006.
I sold GoLakeChelan in 2014.During my primary career as a journalist and businessman, I served on the Chelan City Council, as Mayor of Chelan and a Director on the Lake Chelan School Board. I was awarded the Associated Press Small Market Reporter of the Year in 1982.  
In 1994 KOZI was given the Associated Press “Governor's Award” for news coverage of  Firestorm '94. I was a founding member of the Lake Chelan Hospital Foundation and  Director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for many  years. I was a 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters.
I married Cecilia in 1992. We have 2 sons, William (age 20) and Jerry Jr. (Jerry Jr. died in 2014).
I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and live in a bicultural home.
LCM: What new services would you like to see the new hospital provide that it currently does not?
Isenhart: ​I would like to help make sure our hospital has an Electronics Medical Records System that is on par with the industry, and that the conversion and implementation of such a system is given priority. Hopefully it would be operational by the time the new Hospital opens at Apple Blossom.
LCM: Do you feel that the new location and construction of the hospital will attract specialists or make specialty services possible?
Isenhart: I understand that Columbia Valley Community Health, Confluence Health and the University of Washington, and other institutions too, are all working with the current administration to open the doors to relationships with specialists using the new Chelan Hospital. It makes good sense to try to be efficient and coordinate with our neighbors to produce the most effective methods of making all medical services available at the best location.
I suspect that Health Care regulations that have yet to be written will impact "how" much of the new hospital actually works. ​I would prefer to wait and not comment now until I know more about the facts surrounding the opportunities.
 

Incumbent Phyllis Gleasman
I am 73 and have resided in Manson area since 1981 when the orchard was purchased.
In September 1980 I began work at Trout which is now Chelan Fruit, retiring in Dec. 2015.   My husband was a civil engineer in construction and the family moved several times so prior to settling in Chelan area I held various jobs, the major job being Mom.
Relocating was always a challenge in determining where and who would be providing medical care for the family.  The transfer to Arizona was in an environment where the closest medical care was 20 miles from town. A grade school was also in the area and the lack of medical services was worrisome. A group of parents began the process of bringing urgent care services to the area.  I had the privilege of being the chairperson of the group and the clinic was established.
I graduated from business college and entered the job market.  My formal education has been to never stop learning so if there was an opportunity to learn through my employment I utilized it.
Being an orchardist and also working in the ag industry I have been on various committees representing grower concerns and challenges from water to land rights to governmental affairs. Currently I am an advisor to the Farm Service Agency for Chelan County, therefore am able to keep apprised as to the ag climate at the federal level.
One of the highest honors I have received was being appointed by Govenor Gregoirre to Wenatchee Valley College Board of Trustees in 2011 and Govenor Insley has approved re-appointment for a second term.
LCM: What new services would you like to see the new hospital provide that it currently does not?
Gleasman: First I would like to thank the Family Physicians for their dedication to the citizens of the Lake Chelan Valley.  They have endured many challenges while providing quality healthcare for everyone.  Electronic record-sharing has been a project the IT department has been working on for an extended period.  The road block has been that other medical facilities have their own IT system which is not compatible to the current program at LCCHC.  This will continue to be a priority until an acceptable resolution is known. Finalization of a Residency Program through U of W Medical School-fewer medical students are considering rural health care and a residency program would introduce them to the rewards of practicing in rural areas.  Enhance the high school med program and WVC nursing program internship by introducing students to hands-on experience so they know the rewards of providing medical services. Enhance bi-lingual wellness programs.  Providers are currently doing some education, but what can be added to provide additional preventive care education for the service area?  In addition to the partnerships with Confluence Health, CVCH, Swedish Hospital in Seattle continue perusing partnerships with other medical facilities.
LCM: Do you feel that the new location and construction of the hospital will attract specialists or make specialty services possible?
Gleasman: Some specialists currently have limited office hours: Plastic Surgeon, Podiatrist, Gynecologist whereas Orthopedic Surgeon and General Surgeon are on staff. Providing patient rooms for their visits is one of the challenges that drove the quest for a new hospital. Additional patient rooms will enable new specialists to provide their service.   One of the major studies that was completed in preparation for requesting the voters approve a bond for a new hospital, was centered on demographics.  Many people are retiring to the valley so services for an aging population need to be considered: Internist, Pulmonary, Cardiology, RA.  General population services: Ear, Nose and Throat; Behavior Health - services that would enhance care provided by our Family Physicians.  Other types of surgeries: hip or knee replacement, nerve pressure reduction, etc. can be performed as larger, more efficient operating rooms are available. Surgeries have become so refined most are ambulatory.  Medical technology is evolving at such a rapid rate that what is practiced today will be quickly outdated. With each technological change, specialist are born and the hospital needs to prepare for them.  Telemedicine is becoming more widely used and the hospital should be able to add advanced services as they become available.  The Tele Stroke system, partnered with Swedish Hospital, has saved lives. Being a critical access hospital telemedicine along with the Family Physicians can increase the number of patients that can be treated at LCCHC.