Western Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative has hired a new permanent executive director, announced Rene Jensen, CEO of Summit Pacific Medical Center and Chairwoman of the Western Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative.

Holly Greenwood started in the position Jan. 1. She previously held a part-time contracted position through CHOICE Regional Health Network.

The Western Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative has been in existence since 2003 and currently consists of 12 Critical Access Hospitals, all separately governed serving rural areas in Washington State. It has been the recipient of several federal grants and has deployed grant funds to their hospitals, helping provide access to specialists and specialty care.

Since Sept. 2012, Greenwood has served a dual role as the Executive Director for Western Washington Rural Heath Care Collaborative and as deputy director of CHOICE Regional Health Network. Under her leadership the Collaborative has expanded from 10 to 12 hospitals and has undertaken several new key initiatives, including assuming the lead for joint contracting and negotiating for 19 PHD hospitals, Health Information Exchange and actively supporting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Considering the results of the last year and the work ahead, it only made sense to secure all of Hollys time moving forward, Jensen said.

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New director for rural health care collaboration