Non-Profit

Orcas Medical Center (OMC) is supported by Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF), a local non-profit organization. The Medical Center was built with contributions, mostly by local residents, to this same 501(c)(3) organization, formerly known as Orcas Island Medical Center Association (OIMCA).

Donations Greatly Appreciated

Your donations in any amount can help assure that this clinic is available to help you and others on Orcas Island. Consider leaving a tax-deductible contribution at the front desk of Orcas Medical Center or send it to Orcas Medical Foundation, PO Box 515, Eastsound, WA 98245.

2012 Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) Board of Directors

CLICK HERE for bios.
Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman
Catherine A. Henderson, PhD, ARNP
Diane Jarecki
Art Lange
Laurie Liebmann
Mary Riveland
Roland A. Sauer
David Slawson
Bill Tudor
Norm Zimlich

OMF NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Lance Evans
Susan Gaiser Gudgell

Dedicated to Quality Medical Care for 56 Years

Fifty-six years ago, our community got its medical care from just one physician. He visited the island once a week, weather permitting. Concerned residents raised enough money to buy a small piece of property and build the island’s first clinic, a building that is now the Lower Tavern.
As our population grew, so did our healthcare needs. Years later, many of those same concerned residents, joined by hundreds more, raised enough to build our present Orcas Island Medical Center, which opened its doors in 1991 next door to Orcas Center.

Today, our building and the private practice inside are dedicated to serving everyone on-island, including the uninsured and underinsured. Like rural clinics across America, our Medical Center relies upon charitable donations to make ends meet. We encourage you to join and donate even the smallest amount to the non-profit Orcas Medical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

By doing so, you become part of a community-supporting effort that benefits everyone.

Now Working Together with Island Hospital

In keeping with the timeline announced in April 2011, Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) completed its planned affiliation with Island Hospital of Anacortes in August 2011. Island Hospital management of the Orcas Medical Center (OMC) practice took effect on August 16, 2011. Both the medical and administrative staffs of OMC are now employees of Island Hospital.

“Our goal is to enhance patient care and add a major level of financial stability to Orcas Island health care,” said Norm Zimlich, OMF Board President. “On the revenue side,” he said, “reimbursements by government and private insurance are more favorable to a hospital-affiliated practice. On the expense side, Island Hospital can handle many administrative matters more cost-effectively. Their purchasing power lets them acquire medications, supplies and equipment for less.”

Island Hospital and OMC have a history of working together. From 1992 to 2004, the OMC practice was managed by Island Hospital. From 2006 until August 2011, Dr. Tony Giefer’s practice managed the Medical Center practice. The Medical Center building, itself, is wholly owned by the non-profit Orcas Medical Foundation, which contracts for management of the practice.

“We’re thrilled to be back on Orcas Island,” said Vince Oliver, Island Hospital CEO, adding that changes in the economics of health care nationwide make alliances such as this one more beneficial than ever for rural clinics and patients. Oliver stressed that there is no requirement that OMC physicians refer patients to Island Hospital. “We want to win Orcas patients with our quality of medical care and services,” said Oliver.?Dr. Tony Giefer, Dr. Jim Litch, and Jean Bried, PA-C, of OMC support the affiliation with Island Hospital to enhance patient care. They, too, emphasized that each patient’s needs and freedom to choose among medical providers — including hospitals — will continue to be guiding principles of care at Orcas Medical Center.

Island Hospital has recently undergone hospital-wide renovation, including its state-of-the-art Emergency Room, Birth Center, and 43 private (not shared) hospital rooms. A new Medical Arts Pavilion became operational in early 2012. It houses an expanded Cancer Care Center, a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, and new Wound Care Center featuring hyperbaric oxygen therapy units. Unchanged is the large force of volunteers who welcome and assist patients and their families.