Sky Lakes Medical Center CEO plans to keep the hospital independent and local

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Sky Lakes Medical Center is an independent, locally owned hospital, but even its top executive is unsure if it can stay that way.

CEO Paul Stewart said the plan is to provide local residents with as many services as possible to reduce the burden of traveling out of town for medical care.

“That’s our goal, but I don’t know,” he said.

Sky Lakes Medical Center is a locally owned hospital that operates without tax support. Other area hospitals are either part of larger medical groups, like the ones in Bend and Medford, or funded by taxes, which is the case in Lakeview and Alturas.

By not joining such a group, Sky Lakes retains the power to make its own decisions, leaving health care judgments to area residents.

The Klamath Falls medical center is emerging from the recession in the black, despite area clinics taking over some of its most lucrative services, and despite the hospital giving away $27 million in uncompensated care during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

“Going it alone as a community hospital is a rare bird,” Stewart said.

“It’s our intent, as long as we can, to remain a local, community-owned hospital.”

CLICK HERE to read the full story on the Herald and News website.