WRANGELL – As a primary step to creating sustainable, quality healthcare services for Wrangell, community residents voted on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, in favor of transferring responsibility for Wrangell Medical Center (WMC) to SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). SEARHC will operate WMC while building a new healthcare campus adjacent to the Alaska Island Community Services Medical Clinic, which will include a critical access hospital and long-term care facility. The City and Borough of Wrangell (CBW), WMC and SEARHC have been working together this last year to identify options for a community healthcare solution, which led to Tuesday’s vote. The SEARHC Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on the transaction later this month.
The following statements may be attributed to SEARHC President & Chief Executive Officer Charles Clement:
“Wrangell voters have taken their healthcare future into their own hands by voting in support of WMC merging with SEARHC.
“Working with CBW and WMC to create excellent and accessible services for the long term is in concert with SEARHC’s mission.
“The health of our patients and community is vital, and by building a comprehensive campus, expanded services will be available to respond to their changing healthcare needs.
“We are energized by the overwhelming support of Wrangell voters.”
The following statements may be attributed to CBW Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen:
“Tuesday’s vote was a clear message that Wrangell residents understand the importance and value of expanding and improving access to quality healthcare services for our community.
“We are elated to have the opportunity to move forward in our relationship with SEARHC on behalf of the community.
“The outcome of this process is to give Wrangell residents confidence that they will receive quality healthcare services that respond to their needs year after year.”