About the OMC Hospital Commission

In Washington, public hospitals are governed by a public hospital board, elected by voters within their district. Hospital Commissioners serve for 6 year terms and are tasked with making sure that the hospital is fiscally sound, and creating high-level policies, as the “legislative branch” of the hospital. There are two hospital districts in Clallam County - District 1 (with Forks Hospital) and District 2 (with OMC). OMC’s district extends from Joyce to the West, to the Miller Peninsula and the County line to the East.

Previously, Hospital Commissioners were elected by sub-districts. However, earlier this year, the OMC Hospital Commissioners voted to allow all voters within OMC’s Hospital District to be able to run for election, and vote on all seats up for election. That means that for the first time in many years, the seat that Jerry is running for, which has been traditionally held by a person in Sequim, is now able to be voted on by voters all the way to Joyce.

Hospital Commissioner meetings are open to the public, and subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. That means that at each regular meeting, there is a time for public comment, and the dealings and communication of Hospital Commissioners are subject to public records requests.

OMC Commissioner Meetings occur on the first Wednesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. and on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. You can attend in person, at the Port Angeles OMC’s Linkletter Hall, or via Teams. If you want to make your voice heard about the hospital, this is a great way to do so.

OMC needs voters and users of the hospital to share their stories and concerns. We need to have commissioners who take the time to listen to the community and truly act in our best interests.