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Community Update #5 from LIHD and CWMA: Lopez Medical Clinic Transition 

ByLopez Island Hospital District

September 30, 2025

The University of Washington will stop running the Lopez Island Clinic on June 30, 2026.  

📢 You can read the full announcement here:  lopezislandhd.org 

Starting July 1, 2025, LIHD and CWMA began looking for a new group to run the clinic. 

Want Updates by Email? Sign-up on the LIHD website to receive emailed Updates  

➤ Updates 

  • Survey 

About 600 households have taken our Community Healthcare Survey!  

Survey closes October 7, 2025. 

Families with Young Children: We Need You to Take the Survey! 

Your Voice is Really Important!  

We ask that each household submit only one response.  

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VWBW5MW   

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VWBW5MW?lang=es 

Preliminary survey results can be found at this link Preliminary Survey Results 250917.docx   

  • Highlights from September 17th Special Meeting to Update Boards and Community 

🔹 Exploring Healthcare Partnerships The Oversight/Partner Group is assessing partnerships with existing healthcare systems and Jody Carona has started preliminary conversations with 4 (now 6!) different regional healthcare systems that have expressed interest, which is a promising first step for finding a new clinic operator. 

🔹 Community Healthcare Partner Input Listening session results were collected from community healthcare partners and compiled into a prioritized wish-list for the new clinic. The full list can be accessed here: 250917 Listening Sessions What We Heard from Our Health Care Partners.docx 

🔹 Independent Clinic Evaluation The Independent Group is evaluating independent clinic operation and has started work with Healthcare CPAs from DZA. They are considering hiring another consultant to support their work. 

🔹 New Web Resources LIHD has added 2 new website pages focused on the Clinic Transition and Timeline. See the pages here: New Clinic Transition – Lopez Island Hospital District 

🔹 Meeting Presentation Available Jody Carona’s Power Point presentation can be found here: 250917 Update Power Point LIHD Special Board Meeting 9.17.25) (3) JCH v2 (1).pptx 

  • Next Steps and the Importance of Confidentiality 

🔶 Meetings with Healthcare Systems Jody Carona will be meeting with several healthcare systems, and at this point, they may ask LIHD and CWMA to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to keep shared information confidential. Confidentiality is a standard and essential part of this type of negotiation, as publicly naming the organization and sharing their information could affect their operations, competitive positions, or employee relationships. We know it’s hard for the community to not have all the information right now, but keeping these early discussions private helps ensure the process is fair, respectful, and successful. 

🔶 Financial Feasibility Work Once a bit more information is collected, the CPAs will start making financial models to show what different types of independent clinics might cost and how they could work. This will help us understand if running our own clinic is possible. 

🔶 Outreach Materials Jody Carona will be putting together informational packets for potential healthcare partners. These will highlight the many strengths of Lopez Island and clearly outline what the community is looking for in a future healthcare partner. 

➤ Upcoming Public Meetings 

📅 CWMA BOARD MEETING 📅 REGULAR LIHD BOARD MEETING 
Date: Tuesday, October 14 Date: Wednesday, October 22 
Time: 5:00 PM Time: 4:00 PM 
Location: Lopez Island Family Resource Center Location: Lopez Island Family Resource Center & via Zoom Zoom Link Passcode: 468826  
CWMA contact info: CWMA@catherinewashburnmedical.org/contact-cwma/ LIHD contact info:  superintendent@lopezislandhd.org  

✔ Stay Informed and Involved 

  • Facebook: @LopezIslandHD; Lopez Rocks News & Views: lopezrocks.org 
  • Bulletin Boards: Lopez Village Market & Library 
  • Attend LIHD and CWMA public meetings  

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we move through this important transition. 
Together, we’re committed to building a strong, sustainable future for healthcare on Lopez Island.