Mid Valley 2025 Events and Appreciation calendar

CDC Physical Exams

Friday, February 13, 2026

Mid Valley Clinic Walk-In Extended beginning Thursday, February 12

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic Welcomes First Baby of the New Year

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic and TranGO Partner to Improve Transit Access and Community Connectivity

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic District 3 Welcomes Newly Sworn-In Commissioners

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic Issues Community Statement

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic Shares Transparent Update on H5N5 Avian Influenza Case in Washington

New Volunteer Opportunities at Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

Honoring Our Veterans at Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic Free Language Assistance Services

Mid Valley Hospital Welcomes Dr. Ana Sofia Rosa-Ruiz, Family Medicine Physician with Obstetrics

Medicare Policy Changes Affect Telehealth Services – Effective October 1, 2025

October 1, 2025

Beginning October 1, 2025, federal Medicare rules have changed how telehealth services are covered. These updates may affect certain types of visits for our patients.

What is changing:

• Most non-behavioral health telehealth services are no longer covered under Medicare and must now be provided either:

  • In person at one of our Mid Valley Clinic locations, or

  • From a federally approved telehealth location.

What is not changing:

• Behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatments remain covered through telehealth with no changes.

What this means for our patients:

• If you currently have a scheduled telehealth appointment that is impacted by these changes, our staff will contact you directly to assist with rescheduling for an in-person visit.

• Your care will continue without interruption—we are here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

At Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic, we know how valuable telehealth has been for our community. While these federal policy changes limit certain services, our commitment to providing safe, accessible, and high-quality care remains the same.

If you have questions about your care or upcoming appointments, please call us at 509.826.1600.

Request for Proposal (RFP): Photography Services

September 29, 2025

Posted: September 29, 2025

Deadline: October 12, 2025 (11:59 PM PST)
Submit to: somdayw@mvhealth.org

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic is seeking proposals from qualified photographers to provide professional photography services that reflect our mission of safety, accessibility, and community connection.

Project Scope

• Updated staff headshots (70+ employees) & leadership/department group photos
• Facility photography – interiors, exteriors, treatment areas, waiting rooms
• Social media content (approx. 32 concepts)
• Support for ADA compliance through alt-text and accessible image content

Key Requirements

• Mandatory team photo days with flexible scheduling options
• Ability to create an engaging, positive experience for staff
• High-quality editing and delivery of digital images
• All usage rights owned by Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

Proposal Must Include

1. Company overview & relevant experience (healthcare preferred)
2. Engagement strategy & approach
3. Timeline (planning, photo days, editing, delivery)
4. Portfolio samples
5. Cost proposal (day rates, editing, travel, expenses)
6. References (2 minimum)

Evaluation Criteria

• Experience & qualifications – 15%
• Engagement strategy – 20%
• Timeline – 15%
• Portfolio quality – 20%
• Cost proposal – 20%
• References – 10%

📍 Locations:

• Mid Valley Hospital – 810 Jasmine St., Omak, WA
• Mid Valley Clinic – 510 Jasmine St., Omak, WA

See full RFP here: RFP Photography – Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

Mid Valley Hospital Welcomes Renowned General Surgeon, Dr. Joseph W. Jensen, DO FACOS

August 28, 2025

Omak, WA – Mid Valley Hospital is proud to welcome Joseph W. Jensen, DO, FACOS, a board-certified general surgeon, to its expanding surgical team. Dr. Jensen brings more than 20 years of surgical experience and a reputation for excellence in general surgical care.

Dr. Jensen is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. He specializes in a broad range of general surgical services—from minimally invasive procedures to complex general surgeries—tailored to meet the needs of patients in rural and underserved communities.

“We’re excited to have Dr. Jensen join our team,” said Andy Bertapelle, CEO of Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic. “His depth of surgical expertise, bilingual fluency, and commitment to patient-centered care will help us continue providing high-quality services close to home.”

Dr. Jensen earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his general surgery residency through Michigan State University at Garden City Hospital. His career has spanned both private practice and hospital-based surgery programs in Utah and Georgia.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Jensen is committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes for the diverse population of North Central Washington.

He is now accepting new patients for consultations and surgical procedures at Mid Valley Hospital.

📞 To schedule an appointment or referral, call Mid Valley Clinic at 509.826.1600 or visit mvhealth.org to learn more.

Mid Valley Hospital Welcomes Emergency Medicine Expert Dr. Robert Taber to Its Provider Team

August 28, 2025

Omak, WA – Mid Valley Hospital is proud to welcome Dr. Robert Taber, an accomplished emergency medicine physician with over 30 years of experience in critical care, trauma response, to its medical staff.

Dr. Taber is known for his decisive, patient-centered approach in high-stakes environments, with an exceptional record of providing life-saving care in both rural and urban emergency departments. From Alaska’s remote clinics to major hospital trauma centers, he has managed diverse patient populations with limited resources and under extreme conditions.

“Dr. Taber brings an incredible depth of knowledge and real-world emergency experience to Mid Valley,” said Christina Wagar, COO of Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic. “His background in trauma care, and critical decision-making makes him an outstanding addition to our emergency services team.”

Dr. Taber received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, completed residency and served as Chief Resident in Emergency Medicine at Akron City Hospital, and completed a research fellowship in Hyperbaric Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in emergency medicine and currently holds medical licensure in the State of Washington.

His professional journey has included key roles at Summit Pacific Medical Center, Lourdes Medical Center, Ketchikan General Hospital, and multiple emergency care systems throughout Washington and Alaska. In addition, Dr. Taber has served as an expedition physician in both the Himalayas and on the Greenland Ice Sheet, further demonstrating his adaptability and expertise in extreme conditions.

In addition to clinical care, Dr. Taber is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Wilderness Medical Society and National Association for Search and Rescue, and has authored published research on high-altitude disorders and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dr. Taber is now providing emergency care services at Mid Valley Hospital, supporting the ongoing mission to deliver high-quality, rapid-response care to the residents of Okanogan County and surrounding areas.

🚑 Welcome Dr. Robert Taber to Mid Valley Hospital’s Emergency Department! 🏥

Federal Medicaid Cuts Are Real—But Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic Remains Strong

August 27, 2025

By Andy Bertapelle, CEO, Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

You may have seen recent headlines about the federal “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law by the Trump Administration. While this legislation has been promoted as a sweeping reform effort, it includes deep cuts to Medicaid funding and changes to Medicaid coverage that will have real consequences—especially for rural hospitals like ours.

In mid-June, a group of congressional leaders sent a letter to Republican legislators and the President, urging reconsideration of these Medicaid cuts. That letter included a list of rural hospitals identified as being at risk for potential closures under this new law—Mid-Valley Hospital was on that list.

I want to address this directly with our community.

Yes, we were included in that report—but being listed does not necessarily mean we are in imminent danger of closure. These reports are designed to highlight potential vulnerabilities based on national data and assumptions, many of which don’t reflect the specific realities of our organization.

At Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic, we’ve been anticipating this type of challenge for some time and have been preparing accordingly. Our leadership team is focused on strengthening our financial position, expanding services, diversifying our revenues and building partnerships to make our hospital and clinic more resilient. We’ve also prioritized what we call “Continuity”—our commitment to long-term stability through careful financial stewardship, thoughtful growth, and community-focused care.

The truth is, rural hospitals across the country are under pressure. But we want to reassure our community: Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic is not at risk of closing.

We remain financially stable, and we are actively working to grow our services and continue serving this region for years to come. Our inclusion in that June 12th letter was unfortunate.  Some hospitals on that list likely shouldn’t be on that list – like Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic, and are only a reflection of the selected data that was used to generate the list by legislators.

That said, we won’t ignore the seriousness of these policy changes. Medicaid cuts do matter. They will impact how hospitals are reimbursed for care, and that could affect services over time—not just here, but everywhere. We will continue to advocate for fair policies that support rural healthcare and the patients who depend on it.

In the meantime, our commitment to this community hasn’t changed. We’re here to provide high-quality care, close to home, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect access to the services you rely on. We appreciate your trust and support—now and in the future.

ISO 9001:2015 Certification Announcement – Celebrating Our Achievement with Accuracy and Compliance

August 19, 2025

Raising the Standard – Certified!

Mid Valley Hospital has officially achieved the DNV Management System Certification under ISO 9001:2015, the world’s most recognized standard for quality management systems.

Certified Scope:
• Medical Inpatient Care
• Surgical Inpatient Care
• Outpatient Services
• Swing Bed Care

This certification confirms that our management system for these services meets internationally recognized standards for safety, quality, and continuous improvement. It reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional, compassionate care close to home, built on strong, reliable processes.

Every service in scope. Every process. Every day.
Your health. Our mission. Certified excellence.

Mid-Valley Hospital & Clinic Announces New Commissioner

July 8, 2025

Omak, WA – Mid-Valley Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Crystal Hawley as the new Commissioner representing District 1. Hawley officially was sworn in on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, bringing a strong background in interpersonal and communication skills, supporting a positive environment and removing obstacles, reliability, accountability, continuous learning and knowledge upkeep, integrity, diligence, and professionalism and compliance.

“We are excited to welcome Crystal to the Mid-Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners,” said Andy Bertapelle, CEO of Mid-Valley Hospital & Clinic. “Her leadership experience and dedication to community health will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen local patient care throughout the Okanogan Valley.”

Nurse Midwife Joins OB/GYN Team at Mid-Valley Clinic

October 10, 2023

OMAK, WA – Mid-Valley Clinic is pleased to announce that it is expanding Women’s Health and Pregnancy Services with the addition of Certified Nurse Midwife Carol Neely.

Carol will be working with August Daniel King, MD, OB/GYN, at the Omak-based clinic. She brings more than 30 years of OB and women’s health experience to the community.

Carol began her nursing career as an officer in the United States Army after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Georgia Southern University in 1994. She earned a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Washington in 2011.

Her personalized approach has been developed across a spectrum of settings. She was part of a Collaborative Midwifery/OB/GYN group at Providence in Everett, WA for the past 10 years. The Midwifery group earned national recognition for having the lowest cesarean rate for nine consecutive years.

Carol also has a passion for teaching. She has used her experience and specialized skills to train and mentor numerous healthcare providers through the years. In 2019, she was honored as Preceptor of the Year by the University of Washington.

For the past year, Carol has worked as the chief nursing officer at Mid-Valley Hospital, a position that has provided her the opportunity to become familiar with hospital operations and staff and to learn more about the community and local medical providers.

Across the United States, women in rural communities face unique challenges in finding both primary care and specialized health care. Teaming Carol with Dr. King will create a one-of-a-kind combination in the Okanogan Valley.

“For women seeking healthcare and/or pregnancy care, we provide a unique opportunity for them to experience specialized care right here at home,” Carol said.

Due to their specialized training, certified nurse midwives practice independently – without the oversight of a medical doctor – and care for women throughout the entirety of their pregnancy, during childbirth and postpartum.

In addition to delivering babies and caring for pregnant mothers, some of the services Carol will offer include:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health/Gynecologic Health
• Family Planning Services to include IUD and Nexplanon placement and removal
• Physical examinations, Pap smears, Well Woman Exams
• Treatment of substance use disorder in pregnancy
• Lactation Support
• Postpartum Depression

In addition to her work in the clinic, Carol also is the lead teacher of Mid-Valley Hospital’s free Childbirth Preparation Classes, which are held weekly on Monday nights. The classes are a two-part series covering planning for the arrival of a new child and postpartum care. Register for the classes here: https://www.mvhealth.org/calendar-list-view/  

To schedule an appointment with Carol, call Mid-Valley Clinic at 509-826-1600.

Mid-Valley Hospital Launches Diabetes Prevention Classes

Sept. 28, 2023

OMAK, WA – Mid-Valley Hospital is launching Transform Your Health – a Diabetes Prevention Program, with classes beginning Oct. 5.

The evidence-based lifestyle change program is designed to prevent Type 2 diabetes and is modeled after a nationally recognized program, according to Franco Lopez, III, Mid-Valley Hospital’s dietitian.

Lopez, a registered dietitian and board-certified diabetes specialist, will be the lead facilitator of the cohort – or group-based program – that provides practical training and education empowering people to manage their health.

The program includes comprehensive health assessments that will uncover your unique health status and risk factors, along with personalized tools and a roadmap for your success.

The program also features engaging group sessions and interactive workshops with deep dives into nutrition, physical activity, stress management and other variables that impact weight management, blood pressure and overall health.

Lopez noted that research has shown group-interactive classes produce higher success rates and better long-term results than individual one-on-one programs, as participants learn valuable practical tips from each other.

Lopez has 12 years experience and has logged more than 28,000 hours of clinical practice. He has worked with hundreds of adult and pediatric patients with a variety of conditions including neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, genetic disorders, insulin resistance, fatty liver and cancer. He has also facilitated family-oriented nutrition and wellness and diabetes prevention programs. He offers his expertise in both English and Spanish.

Classes start Oct. 5, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Mid-Valley Hospital, 810 Jasmine Street in Omak.      Registration is required.

For more information or to reserve your spot, call 509-826-1760 ext. 2033 or email lopezf@mvhealth.org.

Mid-Valley Hospital Board Nominates New Commissioner

August 28, 2023

OMAK, WA – The Board of Commissioners of Okanogan County Public Hospital District #3 is pleased to announce the nomination of Debi Clark to succeed former Commissioner Becky Corson in position #4.  Ms. Clark’s resume is available for inspection upon request. 

The Board’s nomination is communicated to the public pursuant to amended RCW 42.12 and Substitute Senate Bill 5437 (attached) and posted on the District’s public website and official FaceBook page and Instagram feed.  Per the law, the public is encouraged to submit additional nominations for the next 15 days, which nomination period will then end at 12:59pm on September 12, 2023.  Public nominations should include at a minimum the nominee’s full name, personal phone, and personal email address.  Submission of a letter of interest and/or a resume is also encouraged.  Public nominations can also be made in person at the District’s Administrative Offices at 810 Jasmine Street, Omak, 98841; via USPS mail at that same address; or via email at EatonL@mvhealth.org.  Nominations received by US Postal Service mail must be postmarked by the deadline regardless of when received.

Public members are welcome to seek help in the nomination process from District Administration staff by scheduling an appointment or dropping by Administrative offices during business hours. 

Once the nomination period has closed, the Hospital District Commission will consider all nominees for final appointment into Commissioner Position #4 at either a Regular Meeting or Special Meeting for that specific purpose, at their sole discretion.

Mid-Valley Hospital Seeking Candidate for Board of Commissioner Vacancy

August 3, 2023

OMAK, WA – Mid-Valley Hospital is seeking candidates to fill a vacant Board of Commissioners seat, position #4.  

This board seat was previously held by Becky Corson, who is relocating out of the area. Corson served on the Board since July 2022.

According to Mid-Valley Hospital CEO John White, serving on the board of commissioners is an opportunity for community members to help shape the direction of healthcare services. “The commissioner role is vital because it represents the voice of the community,” he said.

People who are actively engaged in the community—through volunteering, working in social services, education, law enforcement, retail businesses and agriculture, have a unique perspective that helps broaden the definition and view of what services the hospital offers and how the hospital delivers those services to the community, White added. “It’s a big responsibility—and a very rewarding responsibility.”

In addition to her service as a commissioner, Corson has a long association with the hospital. She was Clinic Administrator for Mid-Valley Medical Group for 12 years, where she was responsible for practice management of OB/GYN, general surgery and primary care services, as well as oversight of medical providers and all staff. She also previously served as Administrative Assistant at Mid-Valley Hospital for eight years. Corson earned an MBA at Pacific Lutheran University and a Bachelor of Business Administration- Accounting at Eastern Washington University.

The candidate appointed for Position #4 would complete Corson’s unexpired term of service which runs through December 31, 2025.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a registered voter, live in the hospital district and cannot be an employee of the hospital or its affiliated medical clinic. Commissioners have 11 monthly meetings per year, plus various committee meetings. Compensation is $128 per meeting, plus mileage and expense reimbursement.

Interested candidates should send a hard copy or emailed letter of introduction accompanied by a resume by August 16, 2023 to Mid-Valley Hospital at:

Mid-Valley Hospital

Attn: Lisa Eaton, Executive Office Manager

EatonL@mvhealth.org

810 Jasmine Street

Omak, WA  98841

Letters of interest should address why the candidate is applying to be a commissioner and why they would be a good choice for appointment on the board.

The Mid-Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners is responsible for overseeing hospital district policies with the goal of providing quality care and healthcare services that meet the community needs. Commissioners meet monthly at the hospital’s Education Building. Meetings are open to the public.

Washington State House Bill 1272

Mid-Valley Hospital will take additional steps to improve quality care beginning July 1, 2023 by reporting more detailed demographic information about our patients. This will this help us continue delivering high quality, compassionate care to everyone. It is also mandated by a new Washington State law.

House Bill 1272 requires hospitals in Washington to improve transparency by reporting patients’ race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, preferred language, and disabilities. While the new law requires that we ask these additional questions, patients may choose whether or not they want to provide this information. Participation by patients is entirely voluntary and all information is strictly confidential.

Your answers to these questions will assist in identifying and addressing health disparities in Washington State, with the goal of achieving health equity for all. If you believe Washington State’s Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 1272 (WAC 246-455-025) violates your rights or you have specific questions regarding this law, please contact your legislative representative or Washington State Department of Health at CHARSGeneral@doh.wa.gov.

For more information, visit Washington State Department of Health as required by HB 1272. You may also contact the Mid-Valley Compliance Officer at 509-861-2443.