Help Inform the Future of Healthcare on Lopez Island
Since April 2021, the Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) Commissioners have devoted one meeting a month to our first strategic planning process. This formal process gives us a chance to step back from the normal business of running the District to assess how well our initial mission, set when we formed in 2017, fits the current and future needs of the community. It will also allow us to identify what our priorities should be over the next 3 – 5 years.
An important part of the strategic planning process is to hear from you. We want to learn how you use healthcare services, what you feel works well, and where there are opportunities to improve the District’s service and support to the community.
Soon we’ll launch the next phase of work in the strategic planning process which focuses on your engagement. This step includes a community-wide survey and the chance for you to participate in small Focus Groups. The survey will launch in mid-September and remain open for 3-4 weeks. It will be available in English and Spanish, and you will be able to choose between completing it online, via paper, or via the telephone.
Following the close of the survey, we’ll hold a series of Focus Groups throughout October. These 60 – 90-minute discussions, facilitated by the Consultant supporting the District in this process, will be in small groups of 8-10 people. The purpose of a Focus Group is to understand the needs of different populations within the community. You can indicate your interest in participating in a Focus Group when completing the Community Survey, or you can email the LIHD Superintendent, Anne Presson, and ask to be put on the Focus Group list. While we had hoped to gather in person, due to the ongoing pandemic it’s likely the Focus Groups will meet remotely or offer a hybrid model.
As always, the LIHD Commissioners and Superintendent are available to answer questions or provide information. Please watch for information on the Community Survey launch in the next 10 days. We’ll post information and updates on the LIHD Facebook page and website, Lopez Rocks, and the Lopez Island Community Board on Facebook. Paper copies will be distributed through the Lopez Island Family Resource and Senior Centers, Lopez Island Library, UW Medicine Lopez Clinic, Lopez Island Pharmacy, Lopez Island Physical Therapy, and Grace Church.
We thank all of our community members in advance for taking the time to participate in these upcoming activities. Your thoughts will provide important insights and information to ensure we continue to serve our community well, now and into the future.
In gratitude and service.
LIHD Board of Commissioners and Superintendent