Editor,

Good things are happening at Whidbey General! Town Hall meetings, rebranding, and establishment of the Patient and Family Advisory Council reflect efforts of hospital leadership to improve both its performance and relationship with the community. This improvement is being noticed outside the community too, as evidenced by the recent increase in the hospital’s bond rating.

After 45-plus years, most businesses engage in rebranding. This is a tool used to appeal to consumers, to recruit staff, and to show a commitment to innovation. Anacortes and Skagit Valley recently renamed their hospitals to reflect that each hospital had a network of clinics. The change from Whidbey General to WhidbeyHealth follows a national naming convention for hospitals with outlying clinics. For Whidbey residents to shop local for medical services, they must be aware of how many local options exist under the hospital’s umbrella.

The new logo, three people/arms facing outward, is a marked improvement from the existing logo with three people/arms facing inward. The old logo conveys a closed system, shut off from the community. The new logo shows the hospital reaching out to the community, open to feedback and willing to improve. This is truly an apt description of the good things happening at WhidbeyHealth.

I encourage you to attend the next town hall meeting from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the hospital. It is a great opportunity to hear from staff members, ask questions, and to see first hand the hospital’s renewed commitment to the community.

MARGE MOORE

Oak Harbor