NEW Health to Break Ground in Newport

Newport, WA. November 17, 2022 – NEW Health, a non-profit primary care provider serving Ferry,
Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties, will break ground on a two-story 21,510 square foot facility to bring
the organization’s integrated model of care to Newport, Washington.

NEW Health has been serving the Tri-County region since 1978, including in North Pend Oreille County
since 1994. The Newport facility, to be constructed at the northeast corner of N. Spokane Avenue and
Spruce Street, will provide local residents with integrated medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral
health services.

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of November and the new facility will be complete in
August 2023. This site will have capacity to employ 41 people for positions ranging from administrative
roles such as front desk and operations, to clinical roles including medical assistants, dental assistants,
primary care providers, pharmacists, and dentists. The first floor of the facility will include medical
exams, behavioral health rooms, and a pharmacy, while the second floor will consist of sixteen dental
operatories capable of providing over 18,000 dental visits annually.

“Increasing access to dental services is the driving factor bringing NEW Health to Newport,” says NEW Health CEO Desiree Sweeney. “For years we have heard from Newport residents who are delaying or going without access to oral health care. NEW Health’s integrated model of care, along with our ability to serve patients regardless of their insurance type including those who are uninsured or underinsured, will break down health care barriers and help individuals and families to gain access to timely, local primary care services.”

The new facility is made possible thanks in part to grant funding of more than $2.3 million. “The Washington State Legislature recognizes the incredible need to expand access to oral health care across the state. I am thankful for the support we have received from our state legislators,” says Sweeney.

The building was designed by ALSC Architects, and Baker Construction serves as the General Contractor. The project takes advantage of locally produced materials. “NEW Health’s Board of Directors are local, our staff are local, and we strive to keep our dollars local. I am delighted that our architect and construction partners have again helped us to incorporate locally manufactured Vaagen Timbers cross laminated timber in our Newport primary care facility,” say Sweeney. NEW Health is currently constructing a new facility in Colville which also incorporates the use of Vaagen Timbers cross-laminated timber. The facility in Colville will replace NEW Health’s existing medical site to expand operations and meet the strong demand for NEW Health’s integrated model of primary care.

###

Media Invite: NEW Health is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:30AM on Monday, December 5th, at the northeast corner of N. Spokane Avenue and Spruce Street.

The mission of NEW Health is to promote health and wellness within our communities by providing integrated, open-access healthcare for all. NEW Health operates primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services for residents of Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties. NEW Health serves over 16,000 patients annually and employs more than 170 staff. NEW Health is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Bringing healthcare into communities and communities into healthcare since 1978.