McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center

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McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
Community Health Systems[1]
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.jpg
The McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
Geography
Location1460 G Street, Springfield, Oregon, United States
Coordinates44°03′11″N 123°00′14″W / 44.05318°N 123.00397°W / 44.05318; -123.00397Coordinates: 44°03′11″N 123°00′14″W / 44.05318°N 123.00397°W / 44.05318; -123.00397
Organization
Care systemMedicare/Medicaid/Charity/Public
TypeGeneral
Services
Emergency departmentLevel III trauma center
Beds114
HelipadFAA LID: 41OR
History
OpenedMay 1, 1955
Links
Websitehttp://www.mckweb.com
ListsHospitals in Oregon

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is an acute care hospital located in Springfield, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1955, it serves the Lane County area. McKenzie-Willamette is investor-owned, and accredited by the Joint Commission. Licensed for 114 hospital beds, the facility was the only hospital in Springfield until the Sacred Heart facility at RiverBend opened in August 2008.

History[]

The need for a new hospital on the Springfield side of the Willamette River became evident in 1948 when the river flooded, cutting off access to the existing Sacred Heart Medical Center in neighboring Eugene. A group of residents formed a board and raised funds. In May 1955, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital was established.[2]

McKenzie-Willamette was the hospital to which Diane Downs drove her three children after shooting them in May 1983.[3][4] Her utterances there would later be used against her in court.[3]

By early 2002, the medical center employed 1,150 people and was the second largest employer in the city.[5] In 2002, the hospital sued rival area hospital operator PeaceHealth for antitrust claims, with a jury awarding McKenzie-Willamette $16.2 million in damages. The decision was later overturned and the two reached a settlement in August 2008.[6]

In late 2002, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital began to have financial difficulty. They searched for a partner that could keep them from going bankrupt. On January 30, 2003, they announced a partnership with publicly traded Triad Hospitals.[7][8] After a state-mandated public review period, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers announced his approval for the joint venture.[9]

On October 1, 2003, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital partnered with Triad Hospitals in a joint venture.[10] This reorganized the hospital from a non-profit organization, into a for-profit, limited liability company. Triad Hospitals has since been bought out by Community Health Systems, Inc.[1]

Proposed relocation[]

On November 16, 2005, McKenzie-Willamette announced that they had struck a deal to purchase 42 acres (17 ha) from River Ridge Golf Course, north of Eugene.[11] They intended to build a new campus, and move from their existing facility in Springfield.

This idea was immediately met with community concern about the impact it would have on traffic and the local property values. Groups such as the North Delta Neighbors were formed to oppose the re-zoning and development of the Delta Ridge site.[12]

After two years of working with the community, on January 11, 2008, McKenzie-Willamette announced that they were withdrawing consideration for the Delta Ridge site, and would look at their alternative sites to build a new hospital.[13] The alternate sites include their existing campus in Springfield,[14] a 13-acre (5.3 ha) site in Eugene, and a 40-acre (16 ha) tract in Glenwood.

Heliport[]

There is a 53 x 53 ft (16 x 16 m) heliport on the roof of the hospital. it is identified by the FAA as Mc Will Hospital Heliport (FAA LID: 41OR).

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Springfield hospital sale is complete", Tim Christie, The Register-Guard, July 26, 2007
  2. ^ McKenzie-Willamette History Archived 2008-12-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-08-27
  3. ^ a b Banks, Carolyn (May 13, 1987). "Portrait of an Atrocity". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  4. ^ Adams, Tom (February 21, 2017). "First officer to interview Diane Downs retires from Springfield police after 38 years". KATU. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Community Needs Assessment" (PDF). Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan. Willamalane Park and Recreation District. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-02-28. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  6. ^ Christie, Tim (August 26, 2008). "Settlement brings end to hospital lawsuit in Eugene, Ore". The Register Guard.
  7. ^ "Springfield hospital links with big chain.", Joe Harwood and Matt Cooper, The Register-Guard, Business Section, January 30, 2008
  8. ^ Lane County Board of Commissioner's Regular Meeting, February 12, 2003 Archived August 4, 2012, at archive.today, Section 5.a, Retrieved on 2008-08-27
  9. ^ AG Myers Announces Approval Of Joint Venture Between McKenzie-Willamette Hospital And Triad Hospital Archived 2007-04-29 at the Wayback Machine (Oregon Department of Justice News Release) Retrieved on 2008-08-27
  10. ^ "Hospital caps deal to thrive with Triad", Tim Christie, The Register-Guard, Health Section, October 2, 2003.
  11. ^ "Proposed hospital concerns neighbors", Tim Christie, The Register-Guard, November 18, 2005
  12. ^ North Delta Neighbors homepage
  13. ^ McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center Seeking Alternative Sites Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine News Release, Retrieved on 2008-08-27
  14. ^ "Hospital may just decide to stay put", Andrea Damewood, The Register-Guard, August 21, 2008

External links[]

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