Willapa Harbor Hospital History

Pacific County Hospital District #2 was formed in 1953 by voters in the current hospital district.  The District built the hospital (Willapa Harbor Hospital) and it was opened for business in 1954.  For many years, Willapa Harbor Hospital and Ocean Beach Hospital (Pacific County Hospital District #1) operated as one entity as far as governance and financial statements.

In 1998, the governing board and the districts decided to dissolve the single entity and separate the two districts into two independent districts and hospitals.

In 2001, Willapa Harbor Hospital was designated a “Critical Access Hospital” for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement purposes.  This designation enables small rural hospitals to be reimbursed on the basis of operating costs vs DRG’s as the larger hospitals are.

In late 2001, the District voters approved a bond issue of about $5,600,000 to remodel and upgrade the 1950’s building and infrastructure and upgrade some of our radiology equipment.  The district voters approved the 20 year levy by over 75%.

The hospital has four primary care physicians, a part time surgeon and a part time Radiologist and serves about 10,500 residents in North Pacific County.

*Terry Stone, Willapa Harbor Hospital.  September, 2010.