Since 2011, CMH has donated Certified Athletic Trainer Chad Rankin’s time and services to Clatsop County schools at no cost to the districts.

Rankin looks out for the safety of each student athlete he evaluates. At the beginning of each season, Rankin gives varsity athletes the computer-based ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which quantifies brain function. Having this vital measure of brain function can guide doctors in determining when athletes who have suffered a concussion are ready to go back to practice and competition, preventing further or lasting brain injury.

Rankin also gives in-service training to our local fire departments and coaches about assisting injured athletes without causing more damage. CMH is reaching out to the community to keep our kids safe on the playing field.

Every spring, CMH is overrun by bunnies—two-legged bunnies with bright eyes and eager smiles. This April CMH welcomes its sixth set of fifth grade “bunnies” for Operation Bunny Suit.

Hundreds of children from Clatsop County schools visit CMH for a hands-on introduction to health care and the hospital. Students explore surgery, hand hygiene, pet therapy, nutrition, fitness, respiratory health, patient safety, CPR and medical imaging. Operation Bunny Suit gets its name from the surgical coveralls, also known as a bunny suit, which the children wear while in the Surgery Department.

While visiting the operating room, they learn to make and tie sutures and how to use a laparoscopic camera. For some students, the trip is an introduction to the hospital, but other students have visited a hospital before when someone was hurt or ill. These past experiences often leave those children nervous about hospitals in general. By showing them some of what happens behind closed doors, we help them create more positive and comforting ideas about hospitals.

Through this program, children in Clatsop County receive basic nutrition and fitness education, which will help them make healthier decisions about their health and well-being. See our bunnies in action.

Relay For Life is a team fundraising event to support the American Cancer Society. During the 24-hour event, CMH team members walk around a track at one of the local high schools, even throughout the night.

But the buildup to Relay For Life begins months before the CMH team takes its first step. During the past year, the CMH Relay For Life team, led by Rehabilitation Department Manager Ivan Sultan, raised over $10,000 to help fight this terrible disease by holding bake sales, hosting a classic car show, washing more than 100 cars during a free car wash at Warrenton Kia, knocking on doors and calling friends.

1. Collaboration with Crisis Respite Center ensuring a successful launch.

• In 2016, CMH provided oversight & support for the development of operations, licensure, & successful implementation of the Crisis Respite Center in Warrenton, Ore.
• CMH developed an internal and external communications plan.

2. CMH work towards opiate and substance abuse.

• In 2016, CMH leaders Dr. Katrina McPherson and Dr. Chris Laman have played a major role in the effort to combat prescription drug abuse in Clatsop, Pacific and Tillamook counties. Both sit on the Clinical Advisory Panel for the Clatsop Pacific CCO. Both are also members of the CPCCO Opiate Task Force. In 2016 this task force organized a Community Opiate Summit to increase awareness about the opiate epidemic, developed new clinical prescribing guidelines for local providers, helped to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorders, and provided opportunities for better disposal of medications. CMH now offers the only medication disposal location in Clatsop County located outside of a law enforcement building.
• CMH has agreed to partner with the CPCCO to provide funding for naloxone to local law enforcement. This medication can reverse opiate overdose and save lives. The Opiate Task Force is also planning another Opiate Summit to discuss improvements made over the past year and create goals for the next.

3. Increase in primary and urgent care services in Warrenton.

• Increased providers adding 1.0 FTE Physician and 2.5 FTE mid level providers
• Increase patient visits from average 575 visits per month in 2014 to average 1,452 visits per month in 2016.

4. Increased # of specialists in our organization.

• Recruited 2nd Orthopedic Surgeon
• Recruited Full Time Podiatrist
• Recruited 2nd Physician Assistant for Orthopedic Clinic
• Recruited 2 General Surgeons and 1 Transition to Practice General Surgeon
• Recruited Full Time Cardiologist (Electrophysiology)
• Recruited Full Time Oncology NP-PP
• Recruited Full Time Pulmonology PA-C