Hospital, medical center join forces

WENATCHEE - Central Washington Hospital and Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, which operates the Moses Lake Clinic in Moses Lake, are joining forces to form an affiliated, not-for-profit health care organization.

The proposed organization will be governed by a 15 member board.

Dr. Peter Rutherford, chairman and CEO of Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, will serve as the first CEO.

The new affiliation shouldn't affect daily operations at Moses Lake Clinic, said Rutherford.

"The goal of this organization is to maintain local oversight of care decisions and ensure patients have access to a broad range of services."