On Tuesday, September 20, 2024, Class XXVIII participated in Health and Medical Services Day.

The title of the session day was Taking Care of the Tri-Cities. The purpose of the session was to help class members gain insight into and knowledge of the inner workings of the Tri-Cities healthcare community.

The day featured a comprehensive and engaging agenda sponsored by Trios Health.

Cadwell Lab Tour

Class XXVIII started their day with a tour of Cadwell Labs, led by John Cadwell Jr.

Based in Kennewick, Cadwell Labs is a globally recognized leader in the field of neurology equipment. Established in 1979 by brothers Carl and John Cadwell, the company has earned its reputation as the third-largest neurology device manufacturer worldwide. Their cutting-edge diagnostic and monitoring equipment are widely used in neurophysiology, neuromonitoring, and sleep diagnostics.

Cadwell's product lines include two primary areas: electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) systems. These devices help healthcare professionals monitor and diagnose conditions related to the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Health Care in the Tri-Cities Panel

Following the Cadwell Labs tour, Mark Brault, the Board President of Grace Clinic, led a panel discussion on Health Care in the Tri-Cities. The panel delved into topics such as the current healthcare challenges, the role of Grace Clinic, and potential solutions. Grace Clinic, led by Avonte Jackson, a Leadership Tri-Cities Class XXVII alumnae, provides services to low-income uninsured residents of Benton and Franklin Counties.

Since its establishment in 2002, Grace Clinic has been a beacon of hope for the community. Their unwavering commitment, as evidenced by the more than 115,000 patient visits they have facilitated, instills confidence in their mission to serve the underserved.

It is estimated that 27,000 people in the Tri-Cities lack insurance, and Grace Clinic fills the gaps in the healthcare system for underserved people.

Medical Educators Panel

The next panel discussed the medical schools in our area and the residency program. There were three panelists in this section of the agenda.

• Farion Williams, the Associate Dean of Clinical Education at Washington State University – Tri-Cities.
• Marie Cadwell-Meyer, the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
• Katina Rue, the Program Director of the Trios Family Medicine Residency Program.

Hospital CEO Panel 

During the Hospital CEO panel, Class XXVIII had the opportunity to hear from the chief executives of the three largest healthcare facilities in the Tri-Cities.

The panelists included:

• David Elgarico, Chief Executive Officer at Trios Health
• Mark Holyoak, Chief Executive Officer at Lourdes Health
• Reza Kaleel, Chief Executive, Providence Southeast Washington Service Area

Class 28 boards the bus to head to Sign Fracture care

Mental Health Panel

Two panelists addressed the state of mental health services in the Tri-Cities, highlighting a critical issue — the region faces a significant shortage of mental health providers.

The panelists were:

• Alexander Nelson, Director of Behavioral Health at Trios Health
• Mauricio Gomez, Director at Lourdes Counseling Center.

Mauricio Gomez is also a Leadership Tri-Cities Class XXVII alumnus. He talked about how Lourdes Counseling Center is a comprehensive mental health facility. The Counseling Center offers various mental health services, including outpatient and inpatient care, for individuals facing emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges.

Sign Fracture Care

In the final panel of the day, Jeanne Dillner, the CEO of Sign Fracture Care talked about how the non-profit improves orthopedic care for individuals in developing countries who suffer from bone fractures, especially those related to trauma and accidents. Founded by Dr. Lewis Zirkle, the organization focuses on providing low-cost, sustainable orthopedic implants and training to local healthcare professionals, enabling them to deliver effective fracture care in regions with limited medical resources.