Lind Health Center prepares to reopen clinic

Lind residents recently received a letter from the Lind Health Center, Inc. about its future plans for the building it owns in Lind and who will provide medical services at the site.

According to the letter, “The Board of Directors of Lind Health Center, Inc. is currently working with Dr. Charles M. Sackmann and Dr. Valerie Eckley to reopen the clinic as soon as possible. The contract with East Adams Rural Hospital was terminated on June 28.”

The Lind Health Center, Inc. (LHC) is asking residents for financial assistance to purchase waiting room furniture, examining room furniture and miscellaneous equipment for use at the Lind clinic since Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 owned all equipment previously located in the office.

The board is specifically looking to purchase chairs, desks, exam tables, blood pressure cuffs, sanitizer dispensers, possibly an otoscope/opthalmascope and a Protime Coumadin anticoagulation analyzer.

According to the letter, funds currently on hand are reserved for maintenance and operation.

“We have kept the rental fees at a bare minimum over the years, so even though we have some money in the checking account, it is specifically reserved for building upkeep and emergency situations,” the letter stated.

Additional machines, lab items and all other supplies will be supplied by the physicians.

All items purchased by the LHC will remain the property of the LHC, which was formed in December 1957.

The LHC contracted with C.M. Boom Contractor to construct the medical building in 1958. Dr. Walter C. Felfenstein was the first doctor.

Part of the process to reopen the clinic is painting the interior, shampooing the carpet and general maintenance.

The LHC looks to reopening the facility within the next few months, possible by mid-September, according to Vi Holland, secretary/treasurer of the corporation.

Donations may be sent to the Lind Health Center, Inc., PO Box 503, Lind, WA 99341.

More information is available by contacting board members Carla Bengtson, Holland, Sharon Englehart, Sharon Lobe or Clifford Hays.