SOUTH BEND, WA – Willapa Harbor Hospital is growing. At a meeting on November 18, 2025, the hospital board announced exciting news about new doctors, plans to improve the building, and a smart way to save money on medicine through a local partnership.

Welcoming New Doctors

The biggest news for patients is the addition of new doctors to the team. Dr. Blake Busey is now working full-time as a family doctor at the Willapa Medical Clinic. This means more appointments are available for local families.

The hospital also welcomed Dr. Augustine Ajuogu. He has joined the team as a “hospitalist.” A hospitalist is a special type of doctor who takes care of patients while they are staying inside the hospital. There is also good news for the Walk-In Clinic. Starting in January, Jeremy Quinn, PA-C, will be available to see patients four days a week. The hospital leaders said they are still looking for more providers to join the staff to make sure the community gets the care it needs.

Partnering with South Bend Pharmacy

The hospital has launched a new partnership with South Bend Pharmacy. This teamwork helps the hospital take advantage of a federal program called “340B.”

The 340B program allows hospitals to buy prescription medicine at a big discount. Before this new agreement, when hospital patients picked up their prescriptions at South Bend Pharmacy, the hospital missed out on these savings. That money was considered “lost revenue.” By officially partnering with the local pharmacy, the hospital can now capture those savings. The extra money saved will be put back into the hospital to support patient care and other important programs.

Planning for a Bigger Hospital

The board is looking at ways to expand the hospital and clinic at its current location. They have chosen a company called Anderson Dabrowski Architects to draw up the plans. The board wants to make sure the new building fits the town’s needs. To do this, they plan to form a planning group made up of community members, doctors, and hospital leaders. This group will work together to decide what the future of the hospital should look like.

A Busy Month and New Equipment

October was a record-breaking month for the hospital. Because so many patients visited the radiology, lab, and lung departments, the hospital earned more money in October than in any other month in its history. The board also approved the budget for next year, 2026.

To help treat patients better, the board approved buying a new machine for the lab called a Microbiology Analyzer. This machine will help lab workers get test results back to doctors and patients much faster and with better accuracy.

Helping the Community

Hospital staff members are working hard to help people outside of the hospital, too. Teams participated in the recent Harvest Festival and are currently helping with a community food drive. The “swing bed” program, which helps people recover after a major illness or surgery, is also growing. This program allows patients to recover close to home instead of having to stay in a city far away.