Mid-Columbia Medical Center Takes Step Toward Bold Future for Healthcare in the Gorge
MCMC to Collaborate with Wasco County, City of The Dalles on Site for New
Hospital Campus/Athletic Complex
(THE DALLES, Ore.- Nov. 3, 2021) – Leaders from Mid-Columbia Medical Center (MCMC) received the support
of Wasco County Commissioners today to move forward with a process to
envision a new hospital campus that will increase access to healthcare
services for residents of The Dalles and Columbia River Gorge.
At Wednesday’s County Commission meeting, health system leaders shared
more about their bold vision for a bright future for healthcare in the
community – one that will reflect the best of what 21st century has to offer. Specifically, the vision includes replacing the
health system’s existing facility on 19th Street and creating a campus at Kramer Field. Benefits of the vision include:
- A new healthcare campus that would not only include a new hospital with
all private rooms, but also be the home of the Celilo Cancer Center as
well as a new inpatient behavioral health center and mental health services
in partnership with the Columbia Gorge Resolution Center, which is currently
in the development stages.
- The ability to increase access and remove current barriers of entry that
exist today for patients, their families, and our team members. In addition,
a new facility would provide additional opportunities for our employees
and providers, including a modern work environment that puts patients
at the center, offering a better healing environment and meeting patient
expectations in our Planetree culture.
- A new Kramer Field, which has the potential to be the premier youth athletic
complex in the state of Oregon, introducing out-of-town spending from
tournament vendors, participants and their families, among others.
- The current MCMC campus, which occupies 12.5 acres, will be earmarked to
be repurposed into residential housing, in concert with City and County
needs for residential housing.
- Leaders from MCMC will work in collaboration with officials from Wasco
County, the City of The Dalles and members of the community throughout
the envisioning phase of the project and to create and define scope, timeline,
goals and identify important stakeholders.
No public bonds will be issued for the project.
MCMC is committed to being open and transparent throughout the process
and will keep the community informed throughout the journey. The health
system has established a page on its website (mcmc.net/FutureHealthcare) where members of the community can stay updated on the project’s progress.
Media Note: If you would like to request an interview, please contact Travis Dray at
541-506-5750.
About Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Founded in 1901, Mid-Columbia Medical Center is a nationally recognized
hospital dedicated to serving residents of The Dalles and its surrounding
communities. In 1992, MCMC became the first hospital in the nation to
integrate the Planetree philosophy of patient care, which emphasizes the
need to address a person’s intellectual, environmental, emotional
and spiritual concerns in addition to their physical needs. As a Planetree-affiliated
hospital, MCMC works to provide a caring, nurturing and educational environment;
puts great efforts into humanizing and demystifying the medical experience;
and strives to empower people to become active partners in their own healthcare.
For more information visit
mcmc.net.
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