Willapa Harbor Hospital Receives $1M USDA Grant To Upgrade Imaging Equipment at Rural Medical Clinic

Willapa Harbor Hospital Receives $1M USDA Grant To Upgrade Imaging Equipment at Rural Medical Clinic

Sen. Cantwell & Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez secured federal funds for new state-of-the-art CT scanner, bone density testing, and x-ray facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $1,015,00 to Pacific County Public Hospital District 2 to help Willapa Harbor Hospital's Willapa Medical Clinic replace its imaging technology with new state-of-the-art equipment.

"This funding is a big win for Willapa Harbor, and for families across Southwest Washington. It will bring new advanced imaging technology to a high-need rural community, improving diagnostics and saving lives. This investment is especially critical in an area where more than a quarter of residents are over 65. We must continue to make sustained investments in rural health infrastructure so patients can access high-quality care, no matter where they live," Sen. Cantwell said.

"Rebuilding our national health starts with making family doctors more accessible, especially in rural communities," said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. "The facilities at Willapa Harbor Hospital were built more than 70 years ago and this investment in imaging technology offers lifesaving services to residents who shouldn't have to drive many hours for critical care."

The funding was secured through a Congressionally Directed Spending request supported by both Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez.

Willapa Harbor Hospital is replacing its entire health care facility, including outpatient, inpatient, emergency care, and imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, and other diagnostic and treatment services. The grant announced today will help Willapa Medical Clinic, a designated rural health clinic, upgrade its critical diagnostic equipment. The upgrades will include:

1. A state-of-the-art, 80-slice CT scanner that enables faster scanning, reduced radiation dosing, improved quality and accuracy, and ease for the patient and technologist. The previous CT scanner was 18 years old and in critical need of replacement.
2. Dexascan-Bone Density testing to identify osteoporosis and early prevention for calcium depletion bone fractures.
3. A modern and upgraded x-ray room.
4. A mobile x-ray unit to allow for rapid furnishing of exams, minimization of cross contamination and infection control, and testing in a patient's room.
5. A Trophon unit to ensure ultrasound probe for gynecological exams is safe and clean and free from bacteria and viruses.