Clinic: Clinicians sought, survey set

The advisory committee working with the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic continues to work at the drawing board.

The committee had hoped to hire two new nurse practioners, one this fall and one in early 2008.

The committee had extended a job offer to one candidate, but the candidate took a job closer to her home so she wouldn’t have to move. The second candidate withdrew her application to relocate with family in Portland.

The committee is preparing a survey to be mailed to Wahkiakum County residents, said spokesperson Sandi Benbrook-Rieder. The survey includes background information on clinic operation and expenses, and it seeks public opinion and preference on three different levels of service.

Benbrook-Rieder presented the draft survey to the county board of commissioners on Tuesday, and they said they would make comments on it in the coming week.

The committee hopes to mail the survey later this month, Benbrook-Rieder said.

The committee is also starting to draft a business plan, she said.

“We hope the draft will be ready in 10 days or so," she said Monday. “This business plan will become the basis for recruiting new physicians and nurse practitioners.”

On Tuesday, clinic Business Manager Kathy Patterson reported that the clinic seems on track to meet its budget for the year despite the loss of Dr. Richard Avalon at the end of September.

Dr. Keith Wright and Nurse Practitioner Margie Godfrey generated $87,162 in charges in October, she said, down from an average of $120,000 with the three practitioners.

“Keith and Margie are working very hard to keep up with demand,” she said.