As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the affiliation between Public Hospital District (PHD) No. 1, Skagit County, and PHD No. 3, Snohomish County, we reflect with gratitude on the vision, collaboration and courage it took to bring two public hospital districts together in service of one shared mission: caring for our communities and keeping access to care, close to home.

In June 2016, leaders from both districts recognized that the future of rural healthcare would require strength through partnership. By affiliating Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics with what is now Skagit Regional Health, we created a stronger regional health system designed to preserve and expand access to care across Skagit, Island and North Snohomish counties.

Over the past decade, we have grown significantly by expanding services, clinics, specialty care and provider access while continuing to invest in our hospitals, our workforce and innovative medical technology. Together, we have strengthened health care access for communities including Arlington, Darrington and Granite Falls, helping ensure patients can receive high-quality, compassionate care closer to where people live and work.

Today, that commitment continues with the announcement of a new 30,000-square-foot medical office building being built adjacent to Cascade Valley Hospital, scheduled to open in fall 2027. Developed through the continued partnership between PHD No. 1 and PHD No. 3, the facility will bring primary care, urgent care, laboratory services and diagnostic imaging together under one roof, with space designed for future expansion as community needs and resources grow.

This investment reflects our confidence in the future of North Snohomish County and our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of one of the fastest-growing areas in the region. More than a building, it is a promise to provide greater access, enhanced convenience and expanded care opportunities for the communities we serve.

We are proud of what we have accomplished together over the past decade and excited about what lies ahead. By working together, we are building a healthier future for generations to come.