Sterling Savings Banks Ezra Eckhardt is seeking to sharpen the Spokane institutions competitive edge by implementing process-improvement strategies he helped launch at Microsoft Corp. while he was an executive with the software giant in on the

Coeur dAlene-based Kootenai Medical Center plans to expand its cancer services in Sandpoint, Idaho, to meet rising demand from patients in that area of North Idaho.KMC says it hopes to open a satellite cancer center at Bonner General in by of

Holy Family Hospital spokeswoman Anne McKeon is accustomed to being surrounded by patients and immersed in discussions about medical procedures. She recently found herself, though, in the less comfortable role of patient herselfas a living organ

Sacred Heart Medical Center has begun staffing its intensive-care unit with certified critical-care specialists, called intensivists, who act as liaisons to other doctors who provide care in those units, and also to patients families.Kootenai

Jim Sheehan, owner of the Community Building and former Saranac Hotel, both on Main Avenue at the east end of downtown, has bought a nearby building that houses a Goodyear Tire Center store, and is looking at perhaps opening a produce market there

A 7-year-old Spokane-based ministry that operates healing rooms in 26 countries has purchased a second building near downtown, more than doubling its space here.Healing Rooms Ministries recently bought the former Glacier Mountain Floral at

While seeking ways to control heating and cooling costs at his new South Hill home, Chris Permann stumbled on what he hopes will become a multimillion-dollar business.A Wall Street Journal story Permann read about digital infrared thermal not a

Developer Rob Brewster Jr., who recently has been working on a proposal to build in the east end of downtown what would be the citys largest multistory building, says he also hopes to develop land he owns farther east near Gonzaga University, for

Maplewood Software Inc., of Spokane, says it has sold the rights to its ScheduleRx software, which is used by hospital pharmacies nationwide, and that its launching other health care-related staff scheduling applications it has developed.The

The Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technology Institutes foundation has launched a $3 million fund through which it will provide financing to technology companies in Eastern Washington.The fund, called the Technology Growth Fund, will to