Chapter five: The mission continues through a pandemic

The most recent 10 years bring us to the present, with exponential growth, one major failure but accomplishments that kept us moving forward. 

We triumphed with more new facilities, clinical accomplishments and collaboration, including a ground-breaking compact formed between hospital administration and medical staff. Its only focus: To improve patient care.

About that failure ... It’s important to acknowledge things that don’t work out, because it’s part of our history – and in being honest. Facing market challenges, we began a partnership with Oregon Health & Science University in 2015. Although the effort didn’t pan out, this bold venture showed we had the courage to try. The partnership ended in 2017.  

Community outreach increased, enhanced by our largest public outreach campaign, “You Matter” that continues to this day. Then in the wake of the racial violence surfacing boldly in 2020, a significant, board-driven focus emerged to increase diversity and inclusion awareness. 

No patient harm is acceptable to us became our mantra and is included in almost every communication with staff – including on whiteboards in offices and staff rooms. The Peer Support Program formed in 2018 validated the trauma our own staff face “on the front line,” showing a major investment in staff and provider mental health.

On the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic, we broke ground on the latest expansion in January 2019. By March, thanks to an outstanding “Incident Command” system, we were poised to tackle the virus with surge plans and staff in place – which changed daily to adapt to new rules and emerging information.  

While our clinic side geared up, our online presence exploded with resources, reaching thousands of worried and panicked people with daily direction to navigate the pandemic and subsequent vaccination efforts. 

Humming loudly in the background, campus expansion continued all year – on schedule to open in 2022. We’re ready for the next 125 years. The culture of Salem Health has always been to adapt and respond, to stay ahead of the game. 

Just like they did with $752 to turn a school into a hospital in 1896. 

Key dates and events to the present:

2010 — Salem population 154,637
2010 — Community Health Education Center opens, Salem Hospital earned Magnet Designation 
2011 — Inpatient rehab moves from Center St. location to new Build. B unit
2011 — Salem Health, medical providers form “Common Ground Compact” to improve care
2013 —  Emergency Dept. designated Level II Trauma Center
2014 —  Outpatient Rehabilitation Center opens (Building M)
2015 — Salem Health, OHSU form OHSU Partners (dissolves in 2017)
2015 — Cheryl Wolfe becomes first female CEO: Magnet Designation status renewed
2017 — Let’s All Play Place inclusive playground opens
2018 — Salem Hospital earns Gold Beacon for intensive care 
2020 — Salem population 177,803
2020 — Construction begins on 7-story tower next to Building A to serve an aging population, providing 150 more beds, to open in 2022
2020 — Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown begins