Please accept my compliments for the supportive role you played in my medical training as a Physician Assistant. I had six months of high-level experience. When I was chosen to do my family practice preceptorship at CBHA, many of the University of Washington MEDEX Northwest Faculty and students were raving about the organization and facilities that CBHA offers. Columbia Basin Health Association is a perfect example of what a healthcare provider can be for the uninsured and underinsured patient.

I have worked in the medical field for over 10 years and witnessed many different clinics, hospitals, and healthcare facilities and I am a firm believer that Columbia Basin Health Association was just what the community of Othello needed circa 1972. It is also the perfect example of what a healthcare facility should be to its rural patients.

You allow your medical providers to teach, and set excellent examples for up and coming medical providers. I was impressed with numerous aspects of CBHA.

1. Providers are well respected and staff were all treated with fairness and respect, and that example was set every single day.

2. The EMR at CBHA was truly amazing and will only continue to get better. It makes a medical provider’s job much safer and more efficient. It also contributes to good quality care for patients. I also found that the chart reviews by the medical provider’s peers and the evidence-based medicine practice guidelines were well defined and well covered.

3. I also found that allowing the students to attend and participate in medical staff meetings, and high risk OB rounds, was an imperative part of medical education. Learning the business side of healthcare is a huge component to having a well rounded medical provider.

You demonstrated the leadership style that other healthcare facilities or associations rarely do. Your willingness to provide high-quality healthcare and up-to-date, evidence-based medicine is an example that should be the standard, not the exception. CBHA is a leader in the way, I feel, healthcare is heading. I commend you with the highest regard.

Thank you for giving your time to me. It will pay off in a big way. You should be proud in knowing you helped train and educate a future provider that will assure that patients get the best possible care.

Kenneth A. Haverland, PA-S/RRT/RCP
Physician Assistant Student
MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program
University of Washington School of Medicine