Monday, February 10, 2020 –
Cheryl Nester Wolfe, RN, President and CEO of Salem Health, was the keynote speaker at Salem Chamber’s February Forum Speaker Series Luncheon.
The National Anthem was presented by Willamette Master Chorus and our invocation was delivered by Bry Taylor-Campos of Windermere Pacific West Properties.
Meceira, Lair receive Spirit of Salem Award
Matt Meceira, Executive Director, and Josh Lair, President, of Be Bold Ministries were the recipients of the Chamber’s Spirit of Salem Award. This month’s recipients put the health of our community first. The visibility and complexity of Salem’s friends and neighbors on the streets has never been in a brighter place than today. Meceria and Lair work directly with the homeless members of our community to bring hope. “We are absolutely going to, and do, suffer alongside them as they are drawn from their old lifestyle,” Meceira said of Be Bold Ministries’ goals.
Keeping “Community” in Community Hospital
Nester Wolfe shared the history and future goals of Salem Health. Salem Health is the local health system that has served the Salem area for over 120 years. The health system includes Salem Hospital and West Valley Hospital in Dallas, alongside a number of specialty clinics and the majority of the community’s primary care providers. Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
More than buildings or clinics, Salem Health is made up of providers and staff passionate about high quality care. “We take care of you when you need us, and sit beside you in church, school meetings and sporting events. We are your neighbors and family. I’m immensely proud to be a part of this organization,” said Nester Wolfe. Salem Health is Salem’s largest private employer with nearly 5,000 employees and over 800 providers on the active medical staff, and has 500 community volunteers.
Salem Hospital is a level II Trauma Center, and is licensed for 494 beds. With the knowledge that Salem’s community is aging and growing simultaneously. In response, Salem Hospital broke ground on the addition of a new patient care building last month that will add 150 beds.
Additionally, Salem Hospital is home to the busiest emergency department between San Francisco and the Canadian border. Last year, they served over 115,000 patients.
A few of the accolades the clinicians and staff have been recognized with are as follows:
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Nursing Magnet hospital, since 2010 for outstanding nursing care (redesignated 2 times) , a designation only awarded to 7% of hospitals in the nation
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Top 50 cardiovascular hospital in the nation for the third year in a row
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Five-time recipient of Oregon’s Top Workplaces award, as voted by our employees
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A ‘Best Hospital in the Nation’ as recognized by US News and World Report
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A Joint, Lung and Spine Center of Excellence
“I’m pleased we can bring world class healthcare to our own backyard,” Nester Wolfe said.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Express Employment Professionals. Additionally, we would like to thank Allied Video and CCTV for audio/visual support, and Roth’s Fresh Markets for the flowers.
In case you missed it…
Keep an eye out for the CCTV video link, and air times of the Forum Speaker Series on channel 21.