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06/27/2009: "The Local Face Of PeaceHealth"

The move to build a hospital on San Juan took another step forward this week, as PeaceHealth named Jim Barnhart (photo left) as their lead for the “planning and implementation phase of building and operating a new Integrated Medical Center at Friday Harbor.”

The San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 Board of Commissioners (Board) approved a contract with PeaceHealth in March of this year, and are in negotiations to purchase land near the airport for the hospital.

Nancy Steiger is the CEO and Chief Mission Officer for PeaceHealth operations in the “Whatcom Region, and is the person Barnhart will report to. She stated ““Jim was the clear choice to lead this work, given the success he’s had guiding Peace Harbor Hospital since its opening in 1989. Jim’s strength is his commitment to quality, collaboration and community. We’re looking forward to the work we’ll do together in building the new Integrated Medical Center for residents of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1.”

PeaceHealth reports that Mr. Barnhart will officially begin work on a part-time basis on July 1, and project he will be full-time sometime next year,