“This is unlike anything that I have experienced in my almost 30 years of being a hospital CEO”
By Dennis Rahm, LakeChelanNow Photo
Living through a pandemic has impacted the daily lives and routines of everyone. That’s certainly the case with those who work in the health care field. To get a perspective of how Lake Chelan Community Hospital is responding during these trying times, LakeChelanNow conducted a teleconference interview with Hospital CEO George Rohrich late last week.
Rohrich tells reporter Dennis Rahm that while the hospital and staff are facing some scary times and scary moments, he’s thankful for the support received from the community and says the morale of employees is good. The hospital recently participated in a community food bank drive and staff members were able to raise over $10,000 for the cause.
In the interview posted below, Rohrich will discuss how the current health crisis has affected finances and how it has forced certain changes, such as tele-health visits, that may continue in the future even when the pandemic has ended. The changing situation has led to the hospital board making the decision to reexamine the hospital’s strategic plan.
Rohrich said of the pandemic, “this is unlike anything that I have experienced in my almost 30 years of being a hospital CEO”.
He addresses the need to get out the message that the public shouldn’t be afraid to come to the hospital if they have an emergency situation.
Also discussed is a new alliance between Lake Chelan Community Hospital and the Brewster hospital to share orthopedic services and staff.
While much has been learned during this time, the CEO has determined that communication is one of the most important elements, noting that “you can’t over communicate”.
Interview with LCCH CEO George Rohrich
For more information about Lake Chelan Community Hospital and Clinic, please call Lake Chelan Clinic at 509-682-2511 or Lake Chelan Hospital at 509-682-3300 or visit their website
