2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

Planning Commission Meeting February 15, 2005 Page 2 then showed an aerial map of the site to show the proposed location of the institutional overlay zone. He stated that the Comprehensive Plan amendment was for the expansion area and the institutional overlay zone was an amendment for the total site. Art Hansen, Chairman of the Board for Providence Everett Medical Center (PEMC), serves on their community board. He stated that PEMC provides a high degree of quality health care that is supported by quality physicians, an excellent senior leadership team, highly trained and motivated staff, and over 500 community volunteers. He explained that this was a very time sensitive issue so that PEMC could begin the next phase of their master site planning process. He explained that their presentation would address changes in health care, population growth, community needs, state of the art facilities, economic anchor of the community, and comprehensive planning. He added that the master site plan was designed to replace an aging Colby Campus facility. The new campus would allow PEMC to provide nationally recognized health care with the highest degree of quality to Everett citizens. Gail Larson, Chief Executive PEMC, stated that they were very sensitive to the community and neighbors and would involve the community as the master site planning process moved forward. PEMC is making a major health care investment of 400 million dollars. Expansion plans will provide a high degree of quality care through the expansion of patient and family friendly facilities; provide state of the art technology with cutting edge services, which should attract the very best in physicians and staff to Everett. They also plan to add at least 2200 new family wage jobs. In 2004, the average salary at PEMC was $58,000. She presented to Chairman Ebert a package containing 155 letters of support from patients, business leaders, volunteers, board members, physicians, staff, and friends. She then introduced Patty DeGroodt, PEMC Chief Strategic Officer. Patty DeGroodt, Chief Strategic Officer, stated that Providence was a private not for profit health care organization with a 100 year history in Everett. As part of the Providence Health system they are one of 17 hospitals in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. They are mission driven and are governed by a local board of directors who volunteer their time to be sure that community needs are met. PEMC is the only non -tax district hospital in Snohomish County and they do not receive any tax support from any taxing district. PEMC is the third largest private employer in Snohomish County — over 3200 employees at an average wage of 58,000. Over 500 community volunteers and 584 physicians along with nurses and other clinical professionals provide nationally recognized healthcare to all people. PEMC Emergency Room (ER) is the busiest emergency department in Puget Sound with an average of 260 patients a day. In 2004, the ER received approximately 95,000 visits. Hospital statistics included 2200 admissions, 5500 inpatient surgeries, 5400 out patient surgeries, and 3700 births. PEMC has received many awards and has been recognized as the top 100 hospital in the nation and region and has been specifically recognized for their heart and vascular care. They also plan to be a center of excellence for cancer care. In 2004, PEMC received the governor's award for the work first program and the Patty Murray award for work force training. Last. year, they paid at least 12 million dollars of taxes and provided 15 million dollars in charity care and outreach programs. Care is provided for all types of patients including Medicare and Medicaid and an additional 11.6 million dollars in uncompensated care to people whose insurance coverage does not cover the full cost of care. This year, they opened the Providence Health Care Clinic that provides basic medical care to people who previously were not able to get access to primary care. In 2004, there were over 5100 visits to that clinic.