2025 Update

In 2022 my husband and I retired from Bakersfield, CA to Ocean Shores, WA. Shortly after moving here, I got an ear infection. As a new patient, I was not able to get into the HRH system for 11 weeks and Sea Mar for 10 weeks, so without a prescription, I was forced to wait it out and self-care. As a newcomer to the area, I did not know about Summit Pacific at the time.

This experience is what set me on the path to creating Ocean Shores Urgent Care. While living in California one of the jobs I worked on was helping a group of doctors establish a clinic in Arvin, so I have experience in setting up a medical facility.

My heart has always been in helping others as in my working life (before retiring) I spent 16 years, out of 41, with three churches.

My husband and I started attending the Voices of the Shores meetings because I was told by former mayor, Jon Martin, of their efforts to get better medical care to Ocean Shores. We attended these meetings not to “take over the group” as some have stated, but to offer support in their objective and to receive support in my project. Unfortunately, I do have some detractors. Some people have said that I don’t have the experience to run an Urgent Care facility. However, I don’t plan on running OSUC – I am retired. The board of directors will hire appropriate people.

I created a fundraiser via GiveButter to accept donations for filing the State of Washington corporation, as a charitable organization and filing with the federal government as a 501c3. I received exactly what I needed ($1025.00) for these three requirements in addition to sending Letters of Interest to foundations, in preparation for submitting grants. Thank You to the seven people who donated to get our grassroots effort up and running.  It took until October 2023 to reach this goal due to the IRS’s backlog. In total, to date, I have spent $1,389.06. This amount includes printing material for the Health Faire held on January 20, 2024, keeping the domain active, annual filing updates for WASOS and IRS, and postage for grant applications. Note: The time it takes for grants to be processed varies widely depending on the type of grant, the organization or agency offering it, and the complexity of the application process.

We need $4M for the first year of operation (if leasing a building) or $10M (if building a facility). We are open to accepting investors. If you want to bless us with the full $4M it would be our honor to add your name on our building signage and ALL marketing materials as “Founded by”, etc. For smaller donations, we will include your logo & a QR code for your business or family name on the inside (walls).

Ocean Shores Urgent Care is an independent private citizen effort. However, I am not the first to attempt this monumental endeavor. Over the years Randy Peck and Susan Conniry held Town Hall meetings to get support from people like Senator Mike Chapman and Representative Steve Tharinger. Randy and Susan are two committed people along with other citizens, who helped Ann Allen set up a doctor’s office.  Ann’s practice was open from 2018-2022.  It was on a limited basis towards the end servicing her homebound patients as she tried to find a transition for them and volunteering for the school to provide Covid 19 testing and vaccinations to the school and community.

The AARP Livability Index considers seven categories to measure the quality of life in American communities: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity.

Recently the City of Ocean Shores announced they have partnered with Harbor Regional Health to open a Walk-in Clinic; of which I am in total support of their efforts to provide the area with more options in healthcare. However, this does not mean I will abandon my efforts to establish Ocean Shores Urgent Care.  OSUC can co-exist with HRH’s future Walk-in Clinic along with Sea Mar Community Health Center.  I am so happy HRH has decided to add Ocean Shores to their repertoire. Frank Elduen, the current mayor of Ocean Shores, fulfilled his campaign promise of bringing in a medical clinic. Before his election, Mr. Elduen sat on the council. He, along with Rich Hartman, were the City Representatives for Medical Services.

Expanding medical care resources is essential for Ocean Shores to retain its residents. Retaining current residents—and attracting new ones—strengthens the city’s ability to serve its people by generating increased tax revenue. This additional funding supports services across all areas of city management, creating a sustainable and beneficial cycle for the community. It’s truly a remarkable circle of life.

Please note that there is a difference between a Walk-in Clinic and an Urgent Care Facility.

Urgent care clinics and walk-in clinics are similar, but urgent care clinics can provide more advanced services and treat more serious conditions: 

  • Staffing: Urgent care clinics are required to have at least one board-certified primary care provider, while walk-in clinics typically have nurse practitioners and physician assistants. 
  • Services: Urgent care clinics can offer more advanced services, such as X-rays and lab testing, in addition to the services provided by walk-in clinics. Urgent care clinics can treat more serious conditions, such as broken bones and minor burns, while walk-in clinics focus on minor health issues. 
  • Hours: Urgent care clinics are often open later than walk-in clinics and on weekends. 

The Mission Statement and our Vision for the Future are on our website; as well as services that will & will not be available.

One of the steps I have taken is to register with Candid, a GuideStar Charity Check organization, where I have achieved a Platinum Transparency Seal. This has been another touchstone by some of my “detractors”, that I am not transparent. 

What most people don’t realize is that this is not my “job” … it is one of my passions. I do have a life outside of trying to establish Ocean Shores Urgent Care.  My other passions are reading, writing stories, gardening, walking, crafting, collecting rocks, traveling, and most importantly spending time with my husband, Bill. In addition to founding OSUC, I run the Ocean Shores Welcome Committee, and I am a member of Friends of the Library.

What can YOU do to help the efforts of Ocean Shores Urgent Care become a reality? 

We need “advocates” to write letters to people in our government to back our efforts and people willing to be on the Board of Directors. Michael Mandella with the Ocean Shores Fire Department was on our board but had to resign due to other obligations, and two other board members resigned after moving out of Ocean Shores. I wish to express a Thank You to Kathie Nunes for being an advocate on our board. If you are interested, please email me at admin@osurgentcare.com.  Currently, our board only meets once a year. However, once we get established, meetings will be quarterly. Other board member’s duties will be hiring staff and creating directives for operation.

I will continue to write letters to investors and foundations, and I hope to make a connection with the Quinault Indian Nation. If I am able to form a relationship with the QIN then there will be a whole new area of grants available.  To follow our progress join us on Facebook.

I also ask for your prayers. 

The Bible passage Matthew 18:20:

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (KJV)

This verse highlights the power of collective prayer and fellowship. It assures believers that God is present when they come together in unity and prayer, even in small groups. This teaching is often used to emphasize the value of communal worship and the presence of God in shared faith experiences.

Best wishes,

Janet Needham

https://www.facebook.com/janet.needham.9