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Waterfall Center gathers a windfall
By Alexander Rich, Staff Writer
Thursday, July 02, 2009 | No comments posted.
The Waterfall Community Health Center can patch its leaky roof, update its computers and ultimately treat more patients thanks to a federal stimulus grant.
The North Bend center was one of 25 organizations to get some of the $14.6 million allocated to health care facilities in Oregon this week.
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded Waterfall $386,825. Almost two-thirds of the funding will be used to make repairs to the aging building that houses the clinic, while the rest is earmarked for technology upgrades.
"It will be just a super thing for Waterfall," said Kathy Laird, the center's CEO.
Renovations are long overdue, she said. Some of the Waite Street building's rooms have damaged ceilings and walls with holes, making them unusable for treating patients.
The building was constructed in 1974 and Waterfall purchased it in 2005 for $755,000, according to the Coos County Assessor's Office.
"The grant will let us see more patients and create more jobs with the renovation work," Laird said.
The administrator only learned of the award Monday, and wasn't sure when upgrades would begin, though she would like to see things start in time to take advantage of the summer weather.
Waterfall previously received a separate $156,000 federal grant. Those funds helped the center hire a new family nurse practitioner, Rhonda Knight, and a certified nurse assistant. Knight arrived June 16 and the CNA, Shannon Selton, began work Wednesday.
The additional help should allow the center to offer 2,500 more patient visits a year, Laird said. Last year, Waterfall provided care to about 9,200 people. And more help may be on the way. Laird said she is looking to bring in another nurse practitioner later this month.
The North Bend center was one of 25 organizations to get some of the $14.6 million allocated to health care facilities in Oregon this week.
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded Waterfall $386,825. Almost two-thirds of the funding will be used to make repairs to the aging building that houses the clinic, while the rest is earmarked for technology upgrades.
"It will be just a super thing for Waterfall," said Kathy Laird, the center's CEO.
Renovations are long overdue, she said. Some of the Waite Street building's rooms have damaged ceilings and walls with holes, making them unusable for treating patients.
The building was constructed in 1974 and Waterfall purchased it in 2005 for $755,000, according to the Coos County Assessor's Office.
"The grant will let us see more patients and create more jobs with the renovation work," Laird said.
The administrator only learned of the award Monday, and wasn't sure when upgrades would begin, though she would like to see things start in time to take advantage of the summer weather.
Waterfall previously received a separate $156,000 federal grant. Those funds helped the center hire a new family nurse practitioner, Rhonda Knight, and a certified nurse assistant. Knight arrived June 16 and the CNA, Shannon Selton, began work Wednesday.
The additional help should allow the center to offer 2,500 more patient visits a year, Laird said. Last year, Waterfall provided care to about 9,200 people. And more help may be on the way. Laird said she is looking to bring in another nurse practitioner later this month.
The details
What: Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $386,825 federal stimulus grant to the Waterfall Community Health Center in North Bend.
What it's used for: The money will go toward making repairs to the center's roof, upgrading its heating and cooling systems, updating computer servers and assisting with other IT needs.
Other award: Waterfall previously got a $156,000 grant to hire a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse assistant.
What: Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $386,825 federal stimulus grant to the Waterfall Community Health Center in North Bend.
What it's used for: The money will go toward making repairs to the center's roof, upgrading its heating and cooling systems, updating computer servers and assisting with other IT needs.
Other award: Waterfall previously got a $156,000 grant to hire a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse assistant.
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