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Community Update #9 from LIHD and CWMA: Lopez Medical Clinic Transition

ByLopez Island Hospital District

January 17, 2026

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

The top priority of Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) and the Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA) is to identify a new clinic operator to deliver high quality, sustainable health care that meets the needs of the Lopez Island community.  After six months of focused work with our partners, hundreds of community members, and consultant Jody Carona of Health Facilities Planning and Development, we’ve made significant progress.  Please see the latest update below.

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Latest Updates – Clinic Transition

Update #9 – Clinic Operator Search

🔹 Independent Option – Potential Privately Owned and Operated Clinic
Work on the independent clinic option has focused on financial feasibility. Recently, LIHD, CWMA , and Independent Group representatives met with legal counsel regarding ownership, governance, legal, and operational framework of an independent clinic. They learned that due to state regulatory requirements for the structure and employment of independent providers, neither LIHD nor CWMA can directly hire a physician/provider for any type of clinic. This constraint creates additional complexity for the independent model, especially given the short timeline.  Any independent solution will have to address the challenges of developing a new business structure and ensuring that the clinic would be open and fully operational by July 1.

🔹 Partner Option – Potential Healthcare System Partner
Conversations have narrowed to one regional healthcare system regarding a potential partnership, and detailed discussions are underway about care required by the Lopez community. CWMA and LIHD representatives have had several promising conversations with the system’s executives and have toured a clinic. Next, we’ll include Lopez community partners in conversations with the potential healthcare system partner. At the same time, work is being done on a Term Sheet, which is the foundation for developing a contract. Next steps for presenting more detailed information to the public and hearing public comment is being planned, and we hope to have that finalized timeline out to you in the next week or two.

 ✔ Continue to Visit the Clinic! 

  •  Sam Rich, PA, is seeing patients in person at the Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 
  • UW doctors from off-island have been coming to help at the clinic. More are scheduled through March.
  • Same-day telemedicine appointments are often available within one hour. Learn more at: uwmedicine.org/virtual-care/same-day-primary-care. 8 AM – 8 PM, 364 days/year 

➤ Upcoming Public Meetings

📅 CWMA BOARD MEETING   📅 LIHD BOARD MEETING
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 5:00 PMTime: 4:00-6:00 PM  
Location: Lopez Island Family Resource CenterLocation: Lopez Island Family Resource Center & via Zoom Link
CWMA contact info: CWMA@catherinewashburnmedical.org/contact-cwma/LIHD contact info: superintendent@lopezislandhd.org  

✔ Stay Informed and Involved 

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.