Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2021

MeetingYour Needs— Now and in the Future “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” —Mark Twain Since its beginning, Kootenai Health has filled a unique role. We are where babies are born, health is restored and lives are saved. We are where 3,700 people have found employment that offers a sense of pride as well as a place to fulfill career goals. As we consider our community’s growth, we are reminded of our past. Why did the people of Kootenai County vote to form a hospital district in 1956? Why did the hospital double its capacity in the 1970s? Why were services for oncology, cardiology and imaging added? The answer then was the same as it is today: to meet the health care needs of our community. Every projection shows our community is growing faster than ever, and health care is changing. It is our responsibility to prepare—not only for what next year will bring, but for the coming decades as well. To do this, we look at regional growth, local demographics, population health data and trends in health care. One service line experiencing tremendous growth is neurosciences. With a total of 12 physicians and eight advanced practice providers at Kootenai Clinic Neurology and Kootenai Clinic Neurosurgery and Spine, we have been able to expand care to patients in our region. In this issue of Kootenai Health magazine, you can read more about Julie Wilson’s experience following a traumatic brain injury. Having the resources and trained professionals available at Kootenai Health meant Julie received the care she needed quickly; a lifesaving difference for this northern Idaho mom. On page 8, you can find an overview of available neurosciences care. Neurosciences are just one of the ways Kootenai Health is keeping pace with the needs of our community. We are expanding cardiovascular services, orthopedics, women’s and children’s services, behavioral health, and more. Only time will tell what changes we will see in medicine over the next 20 years. Whatever they may be, just as we did in 1956, we will be working to meet the health care needs of our community. Wishing you good health, Jon Ness, CEO Kootenai Health 2003 Kootenai Health Way Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814 KH.org (208) 625-4000 Kootenai Hospital District Board of Trustees Katie Brodie, Chair Robert Colvin, Vice Chair Teri Farr, Secretary and Treasurer Dave Bobbitt, Trustee Cindy Clark, Trustee Thomas deTar, M.D., Trustee Liz Godbehere, Trustee Steve Matheson, Trustee Robert McFarland, M.D., Trustee Administration Jon Ness, Chief Executive Officer Jim Adamson, Executive Vice President and General Counsel Karen Cabell, D.O., Chief Physician Executive Jeremy Evans, Chief Regional Operations Officer Julie Holt, Kootenai Health Foundation President Daniel Klocko, Chief Human Resources Officer Patricia Richesin, President, Kootenai Care Network Joan Simon, Chief Nursing Officer Ryan Smith, Chief Information Officer Kim Webb, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer John Weinsheim, Executive Vice President of Kootenai Clinic Executive Regional Editor Kim Anderson Regional Editor Kelly Fry Cover photo Jerome Pollos Photography Pu blished as a courtesy of Kootenai Health four times a year. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Translation assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please call (877) 746-4674 . Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al (877) 746-4674 . Ako govorite srpsko-hrvatski, usluge jezicke pomoci dostupne su vam besplatno. Nazovite (877) 746-4674 . 2021 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Health Afternoon Snack— photo credit: Shirley Torwirt, Kootenai Outpatient Surgery Administrator 4