Health Care

CHAS leases lower South Hill space for new health clinic

Center to offer primary care, possibly specialty services

October 23, 2014

Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS), the Spokane-based nonprofit provider of medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services, has leased almost 6,000 square feet of space in the South Perry District for a new clinic, says spokeswoman

Research probes sleep cycle, cancer treatment link

Timing drugs to patient's internal clock could increase efficiency

October 23, 2014

Katie Ross

A researcher at Washington State University Spokane is studying the way the body's biological regulatory system, called the circadian clock, influences skin cancer and the treatments used for it.

Weight loss surgery surge

More insurers now said to be covering procedures

October 23, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Last year at this time, Mari Shay, a registered nurse at the Rockwood Weight Loss Surgery Center in Spokane, weighed in at about 100 pounds heavier than she does today. Shay says she was prediabetic, her cholesterol was rising, and she suffered from hypog

North Side orthopedic practice sues Providence Health

Filing alleges bad faith during acquisition talks

October 9, 2014

Linn Parish

A Spokane orthopedic practice has brought a lawsuit against Providence Health & Services, Providence Holy Family Hospital, and Providence Medical Group, alleging unlawful and predatory practices. Lukins & Annis PS, the Spokane law firm representing Ortho

Washington Health Benefit Exchange adds staff for next rush

Call center here expected to grow to 242 employees

October 9, 2014

Mike McLean

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange and its customer-service contractor here are bulking up their staffs in anticipation of the next open enrollment period for plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder, says Richard Onizuka, CEO for the exchang

Cd'A orthopedic practice to open second clinic here

Meridian doing $500,000 in improvements for tenant

October 9, 2014

Mike McLean

Meridian Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, is working on a nearly $500,000 tenant improvement project in the medical district on the lower South Hill, where a growing orthopedic practice currently based in Coeur d'Alene plans to open a second clinic

Bloom's birth resource

Organization also offering Birth Options class online

October 9, 2014

Katie Ross

Bloom Spokane, the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area nonprofit chapter of BirthNetwork National, has released its first Hospital Maternity Guide that shows childbirth options offered by area hospitals, says Bloom founder Tine Reese and Birth Options progra

Women veteran in Spokane seeking aid for depression, PTSD

Military sexual trauma also common in female vets

October 9, 2014

Judith Spitzer

In 2008, when Cindy Jayne, 52, retired after serving 22 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, she was angry, depressed, drinking heavily, and had threatened suicide more than once. She wasn't technically homeless, she says, but she spent the better part of a

Spokane medical-benefits broker to add new division

VEBA planning to hire six employees initially

September 25, 2014

Katie Ross

Spokane medical benefit broker VEBA Service Group is planning to open a call center division here on Jan. 1, says Mark Wilkerson, area president for VEBA. The company, located in 8,400 square feet of space at 906 W. Second downtown, will be hiring six c

WSU's University District Health Clinic gets green light

$16.25 million project set to get started yet this year

September 25, 2014

Katie Ross

The Washington State University Board of Regents has approved the sale of up to $16.25 million in revenue bonds, to be used for the design and construction of its planned University District Health Clinic, east of downtown Spokane. The two-story, 42,000