Santiam Hospital & Clinics has received a $20,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation that will help it to open a service integration team operation in Jefferson.
The money from the foundation, said Melissa Bauer, director of integrated health and outreach, allows the hospital to hire a part-time service integration administrative assistant for Jefferson.
Bauer added that the hospital also is seeking grant funding from the state Department of Human Services that would provide the hospital with the funds to boost the staffing to full-time.
“This braided funding will strengthen our program and allow us to meet the increased needs in our community,”
Bauer said.
The hospital hopes to launch the Jefferson service in September 2025 and is looking into possible shared space with the Jefferson School District.
The service integration model at the hospital began in 2017. Its service area also connects with the North Santiam School District, the Santiam Canyon School District, the Cascade School District and the Scio School District.
Service integration means an approach to health care and wellness that works via partnerships between the hospital and school districts, faith groups, nonprofits, social service agencies, clubs, government agencies, businesses and community members.
The Oregon Community Foundation grant for the hospital was one of 248 totaling $5.8 million that was announced on Dec. 3, this year’s “Giving Tuesday,” which is noted on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Santiam Hospital & Clinics is part of the foundation’s North Willamette Valley region. The region received 30 grants worth $700,000.
