These are not empty words.  We value the opinions and suggestions of our physicians, and want to hear from you. valleyhospital@empirehealth.org

• Hospitalist program, necessitating less call hours
• Vice President for Medical Staff Relations and Operations, Keith Baldwin, as liaison for requests, ideas, and concerns, as well as recruiting and strategic planning
• Vice President of Medical Affairs, Robert Hartman, M.D., for physician-to-physician exchange of ideas and recruitment
• Three physicians on Corporate Board of Directors
• Remote access to radiologic imaging
• Remote access to patient records (coming in 2006)
• On-site education, planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
• Multidisciplinary teams for fast intervention and improvement in practice
• Rapid Response Teams
• Level III Trauma designation
• Cardiovascular/General Surgeon on hospital staff for consultation
• SBAR communication style between physicians and staff with more comprehensive information available to aid in decision making
• PALS education yearly
• Education on various subjects three times monthly at Valley—all carry Category II CME credits; more at our sister hospital, Deaconess Medical Center, ten miles away

• Valley has a new Vice President of Medical Affairs, Robert Hartman, M.D.  He will be improving the quality, safety and satisfaction of our clinical services and medical staff relations at Valley Hospital and Medical Center.  Responsibilities include recruitment and retention of physicians and improving the physician experience.  Dr. Hartman is a long-time resident of Spokane Valley, where he founded his practice, Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Enterostomal therapist on site
• Interventional radiology
• Women's Imaging Center with latest technologies including mammography, breast MRIs and breast ultrasound
• MRI
• New OR, Outpatient Services and Mother/Baby areas in 2003/4