The Columbian

Clark County Health

From left: Cascadia Tech Academy student Hannah Freimuth, 18, has her height and weight measured by classmate Leslie Vega, 17, as Unzila Alauddin, 17, takes the blood pressure of fellow student Mia Yanez, 18, on Friday afternoon. The medical assisting program at Cascadia Tech Academy allows students to gain clinical experience at local clinics and hospitals.

Vancouver’s Cascadia Tech lets students start medical careers straight out of high school

May 4, 2024, 6:02am Clark County Health

Seven students at Cascadia Tech Academy in Vancouver are among the first in the state eligible to become certified medical assistants right out of high school. Read story

Bettie Le’Sueur talks about the disappearance of her 62-year-old son Jacques Le’Sueur at Bettie Le’Sueur’s house in east Vancouver. Bettie has not heard from him since he was transported to Western State Hospital, a state-run psychiatric facility, a year ago.

Vancouver mother wants to know: What has happened to my mentally ill son?

May 3, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Health

Jacques Le’Sueur’s phone calls to his family stopped a year ago when Clark County sent him to Western State Hospital, a psychiatric facility 130 miles away. Now, he’s a missing person. Read story

Leah Perkel, from left, puts a serving spoon into a dish while Monica Zazueta prepares a plate. They attended Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle’s Wednesday workshop that taught people how to safely serve food to homeless people. Participants brought recipes that work for large groups.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle hosts class on properly cooking, serving food for homeless people

May 2, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Health

When someone asked Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle if it was true you could only serve food to homeless people from a commercial kitchen, she knew she had to do something. Read story

PeaceHealth facilities recognized with ‘A’ hospital safety grade

May 2, 2024, 5:55am Business

Several PeaceHealth medical facilities have been recognized with “A” grades from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, including PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. Read story

Nursing student and Vancouver resident Magnus Kofoed talks about his schooling experience Wednesday at Concordia University St. Paul in Portland.

‘Kind of a win-win’: Concordia University St. Paul helps meet booming nursing demand

April 27, 2024, 6:03am Clark County Health

About four years ago, Vancouver resident Magnus Kofoed was unsure of the next step in his professional career. Now, Kofoed is just two weeks away from graduating from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Concordia University St. Paul in Portland, which partners with local hospitals, including PeaceHealth… Read story

The LA Fitness in Hazel Dell (The Columbian files)

Pool at LA Fitness in Hazel Dell reopens after repairs made

April 26, 2024, 7:41pm Business

Patrons of LA Fitness’ Hazel Dell location can finally celebrate the long-awaited reopening of the gym’s pool. Staff at the facility confirmed the pool reopened Tuesday. Read story

Clinical supervisor Kami McKinzey-Bartelmie, left, gives a presentation for families during an XChange Recovery Community Educatin and Support Night. “Change doesn’t happen overnight,” she said, but it can and does happen.

XChange Recovery’s message to families of those struggling with addiction: ‘There is hope’

April 25, 2024, 3:18pm Clark County Health

Becky Berhardt vividly remembers bawling on the phone years ago as she spoke with her son, who was struggling with homelessness and addiction. Read story

Smoke and vapor coming from locomotives being repaired at BNSF’s maintenance yard have residents in the Lincoln neighborhood worried about pollution exposure.

‘Pollutants’ from BNSF locomotives in rail yard called ‘outrageous’ by Lincoln neighborhood residents

April 24, 2024, 6:07am Business

Smoke and steam billowing from locomotives parked at BNSF Railway’s maintenance yard near West 39th Street has some residents worried about what’s ending up in their air. Read story

Vancouver approves joining state’s opioid settlement; city to get nearly $1M in deal with Johnson & Johnson

April 23, 2024, 5:26pm Clark County Health

On Monday, the Vancouver City Council signed off on joining an opioid settlement between the state of Washington and Johnson & Johnson over the pharmaceutical company’s marketing practices that helped fuel the opioid epidemic in Washington. Read story