Olympic Medical Center will provide gynecological and obstetric services through the Jamestown S”Klallam tribe, averting “a catastrophe,” hospital commission chairman Dr. Jorgen Quistgaard said Wednesday.
Hospital commissioners, meeting Wednesday night, approved a $110,000 guaranteed contract with the tribe and Port Angeles obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Stephen Bush, whose last day at Virginia Mason’s Klahhane Women’s Clinic is today.
As of Monday, he will work out of the Jamestown Family Clinic, 777 N. Fifth Ave., Sequim.
Also as of Monday, the Women’s Clinic will no longer provide specialty obstetrics and gynecology services “due in part to declining birthrates in this area and changes in the need for gynecological care,” according to a June 7 letter to patients from clinic administrators.
Moving to Port Townsend
Port Angeles obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Robert Palmer is planning to move his practice to Port Townsend by Oct. 1, but is waiting for the hospital to find an obstetrician-gynecologist to replace him, Chief Financial Officer Eric Lewis said.
Palmer was not available for comment. His assistant said Thursday he will be out of town on vacation until next week.
He has yet to formally announce he’s leaving Port Angeles, but his departure has been discussed at two hospital board meetings, including Wednesday night’s session.
“My understanding is he will be leaving Oct. 1,” Bush said Thursday.