Changes in store for OMHC

As many in the community are aware, Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center is experiencing a lot of change within the provider community. Late last year, DJ Jones, PA-C was offered a position that he just could not pass up. Dr. Linda Powell has also elected to move on in her life. She has served the residents of Odessa tirelessly for 24 years and has ensured that there was always a provider here in times of need. Thankfully, Dr. Powell gave several months’ notice and is graciously working with OMHC to provide a smooth transition. She will continue to see patients in the clinic through the month of June. OMHC appreciates her commitment to the community and her willingness to help with transition efforts.

Rich Ervin, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and his wife Brenda of Kittery, Maine were interviewed in March, and he has now accepted an offer to work at OMHC. He had many years’ worth of experience as a nurse in critical care when he decided to pursue his advanced nursing degree with a certification in Family Practice.

His arrival date has not yet been firmly determined, as he will first have to obtain a license to practice in the state of Washington. His wife has the option to telecommute to her workplace, so she will work from home. The couple says they look forward to being in a rural area, and they were pleased with the warm reception they received during the interview.

OMHC continues to recruit for a physician and an additional nurse practitioner. There is a national shortage of primary care (family practice) physicians, and recruitment to isolated, rural locations with frequent call requirements is difficult. Recruiting any type of primary care provider is made more difficult with the expectation that they practice both family medicine and emergency medicine, as family practice and emergency medicine are typically treated as different specialties. Finding that unique individual who is both willing and able to care for patients in this variety of settings is no small task.

Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center management is working diligently to ensure that the needs of the community are met. Until permanent providers are recruited, temporary providers will be contracted. Many members of the community have experienced the kind and skilled care of Nan Brokaw, FNP. She is a temporary provider and will continue in Odessa until early June. OMHC is working with a number of companies to identify another temporary provider to start shortly after Nan moves on to her next assignment.

Feel free to contact Mo Sheldon, CEO, with any questions.