Press Release: LOPEZ CLINIC TRANSITION HITS NEW MILESTONES

ByLopez Island Hospital District
Sea Mar Transition Team members met with representatives from Lopez Island Hospital District and the Catherine Washburn Medical Association on April 14, 2026. Pictured from left to right: Jim Orcutt, President of LIHD; Sonia Garza, Sea Mar Regional Director; Harshiem Ross, Sea Mar Chief Operating Officer; and Taya Higgins, Vice President of CWMA.

The Lopez Medical Clinic transition is on track, hitting important milestones on the path to Sea Mar Community Health Centers (Sea Mar) assuming operation of the clinic on June 29, 2026.  Among the milestones: 

  • The lease between Sea Mar and the Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA), owner of the clinic building and equipment, was signed. 
  • The clinic services operating agreement has been signed by the Lopez Island Hospital District (LIHD) and Sea Mar. 
  • The contract between Sea Mar and the Lopez Pharmacy has been signed. 
  • Negotiations are underway between Sea Mar and a female internal medicine physician who would see patients at the Lopez Clinic. 
  • Sea Mar has met with the existing clinic staff and offered each staffer a continuation of their position at their current rate of pay. 
  • UW and Sea Mar are holding weekly transition meetings to ensure a seamless transition, including staff training and transfer of EPIC My Chart records. 

Board members from LIHD and CWMA are planning summer events to introduce Sea Mar staff and services to the community, and express appreciation to UW Medicine.  More details will be announced when plans are set. 

Sign up for LIHD email updates here: https://lopezislandhd.org/ 

Upcoming meetings open to the community: 

Lopez Island Hospital District – Regular Board Meeting 

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 4 – 6 pm 

Lopez Island Family Resource Center and via zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3903428884  

Catherine Washburn Medical Association – Annual Meeting 

Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10 am 

Grace Church 

To learn more, including a schedule of upcoming meetings, visit lopezislandhd.org/news and catherinewashburnmedical.org.