Life and Health

Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics is taking another bold step toward strengthening local health care by expanding our Workforce Development Center at the Regional Medical Clinic, thanks to a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

This investment will help transform our current training and clinic space into a modern, collaborative hub where education, innovation and patient care come together right here in Union County.

Investing in people and place

The project will add more than 7,000 square feet of new classrooms, workstations and training space for certified medical assistants and clinic administration staff. It will also increase our exam room-to-provider ratio, helping us serve more patients each year with shorter wait times and improved access to care.

But this expansion isn't just about bricks and mortar. It's about preparing our region's health care workforce for the future and building a stronger, healthier community from within.

Powered by partnerships

Through partnerships with Oregon Health & Science University, Eastern Oregon University, the Oregon Area Health Education Center, La Grande School District, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine and others, we're creating meaningful career pathways that allow students and professionals to learn, train and stay close to home.

A shared vision for rural health care

"The vision for this project began more than two years ago, and while there have been many twists and turns, we are grateful for the support of the EDA and what this investment will mean for our community," says Jeremy Davis, President/CEO of Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics. "By expanding our Workforce Development Center, we can train the next generation of health care professionals, support our current staff and ensure our patients continue to receive high-quality care close to home."

Grande Ronde Hospital extends special thanks to Brooke Davis, DO, RMC Medical Director, and the entire Regional Medical Clinic team for their leadership and encouragement in shaping the early phases of this project.

Once complete, the expansion will allow Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics to serve an additional 17,000 patient visits each year while creating new jobs and supporting local economic growth.

FEMA awards more than $382,000 to support staff and patient safety

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management recently announced that Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics has been approved for funding under the 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program–National Security Supplemental.

Through this federal program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $69,630, $112,845 and $199,950, totaling $382,425, to enhance security and emergency preparedness across multiple GRH locations.

These funds will be used to install wearable panic alarms for designated staff at the Regional Medical Clinic, Regional Medical Plaza and Grande Ronde Hospital's main campus.

This investment reinforces GRH's ongoing commitment to providing a safe environment for both patients and employees, complementing broader efforts to strengthen rural health care infrastructure and resilience throughout Union County.

Categories: GRH Construction