Wallowa Memorial Hospital

11/14/2025

Today is World Diabetes Day 🔵! We're celebrating by sharing expert advice from our very own Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Melissa Roberts, RDN.

Check out Melissa's 5 essential tips for managing diabetes:
1. Timing: Eat 3 meals a day, 4-6 hours apart.
2. Movement: Aim for 15-45 minutes of exercise, 5x/week.
3. Plate Balance: Fill your plate with Protein & Low-Carb Veggies.
4. Carbs: Eat a consistent amount of healthy carbs (starches, fruit, milk) at each meal.
5. Fiber: Prioritize Whole Grains, Fruit, and Beans.

Taking control of your health is a team effort. If you or a loved one needs personalized nutrition guidance, ask your primary care provider for a referral to see Melissa Roberts, RDN. We're here to support your journey to better health!

11/13/2025

ATTENTION: Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula

Read here for more information:

Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.

11/12/2025

We're proud to feature our experienced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Loring Lamb, who is dedicated to promoting lung health and providing comprehensive care to our community!

As Loring reminds us, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting over 30 million Americans. Since it often goes undiagnosed, awareness is crucial.

Early detection allows for vital lifestyle changes and improved outcomes.

If you have concerns about your breathing or lung health, please: Talk to your Primary Care Provider about COPD!

11/12/2025

Join us today for our weekly "Walk with a Doc". Dr. Emily Sheahan, Medical Director of Community Health, will lead the walk and discuss a different weekly topic.

The group will meet in front of the hospital at 12:30 pm, and Dr. Sheahan will briefly discuss the health topic. After the discussion, the group will head out on the walking path that encircles the hospital campus. This loop is approximately half a mile long, flat, and well-equipped with resting benches. This walk is appropriate for all fitness levels!

Dr. Sheahan is available and ready to answer your general health and well-being questions during the walk. She will not answer any personal health questions that would be better addressed in a clinical appointment to protect your privacy.

Come join us in taking the first step to better health!

11/11/2025

Happy Veteran's Day! We're sending a heartfelt thank you to those who have served our country!

11/10/2025

This National Radiologic Technology Week, we are taking a moment to offer our deepest thanks to our amazing imaging team.

Your role is a cornerstone of modern medicine. From performing detailed diagnostics to delivering life-saving treatments, you operate at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human care. Your expertise, dedication, and tireless commitment to safety and accuracy are invaluable.

Thank you for being the compassionate, expert professionals who ensure every patient receives the best possible care. We are truly grateful for all you do!

Pictured left to right: Sydney Roe, Jacquelyn Patzke, Matthew McPherson, Lisa Seal, Josie Conrad, and Rebecca Patton

Not pictured: Peggy Best, Susy Lehr, Shilo VanderZanden, Rebecca Wolfe, Sarah Johnson, and Pam Lathrop

11/06/2025

So proud of our EMS team!

WALLOWA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EMS TEAM WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2025 OREGON RURAL HEALTH EXCELLENCE AWARD

ENTERPRISE – (Release from Wallowa Memorial Hospital) Wallowa Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team has been named a recipient of the 2025 Oregon Rural Health Excellence Award in the EMS category by the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) at OHSU.

The award, presented at the 42nd Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference in October, celebrates rural healthcare organizations that demonstrate exceptional resourcefulness, collaboration, and innovation in improving health outcomes for their communities. Wallowa Memorial EMS was specifically recognized for its impactful Community Resilience and Injury Prevention Program.

Wallowa County, known for its remote and frontier characteristics, faces unique challenges in emergency response times. The winning program was designed to proactively address this by equipping rural residents with essential life-saving knowledge and tools. The EMS team brought critical training, including CPR with feedback devices and "Stop-the-Bleed" techniques, directly to schools and community centers. They also strategically distributed comprehensive first aid bags to help remote community members provide immediate aid during medical emergencies. The first aid bags and advanced training tools were acquired through a grant from the Roundhouse Foundation whose mission is to support creative solutions to the unique challenges associated with rural culture and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

"This award is a powerful testament to the independent spirit of Wallowa County and the deep commitment of our team," said Don Taggart, EMS Director at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. "We understand that in a frontier county, improving outcomes often starts with early recognition and immediate intervention by the community itself. By sharing our expertise and providing these tools, we are building a more resilient network of caregivers across our entire service area. We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the Oregon Office of Rural Health."

The ORH Excellence Award is highly competitive, and the EMS team's success was judged based on criteria including the significance of the problem addressed, a data-driven approach to the solution, and the program's potential for scalability to other rural communities. The program’s comprehensive educational approach and dedication to community partnership were highlighted as key strengths by the selection committee. The entire Wallowa Memorial Hospital and Wallowa County Health Care District family congratulates the EMS team for their dedication to premier patient care and community wellness.

About Wallowa Memorial Hospital

Wallowa Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital and Level IV Trauma Center serving the residents and visitors of Wallowa County. As part of the Wallowa County Health Care District, the hospital and its medical clinics are committed to providing premier, high-quality, and compassionate health care services close to home.

11/03/2025

It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Did you know that lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the U.S.? Our Cardiopulmonary Director and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Loring Lamb, wants our community to know there is hope and action we can take.

Loring shares: "Smoking is the leading cause. The good news? Quitting smoking and getting screened are life-saving actions you can take right now. Don't wait—ask your primary care provider about screening today."

Early detection changes everything. Have a conversation with your primary care provider about your risk factors and eligibility for screening.

10/31/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SNAP BENEFITS

The federal government shutdown is affecting funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Stay safe with these quick tips!

1. Be Visible: Lights & reflective tape are your friends.
2. Candy Check: Always inspect treats before digging in.
3. Hand Hygiene: Keep germs from crashing the party.
4. Moderation is Key: Enjoy a few treats, not all at once.
5. Don't Skip Brushing: End the night with a clean smile.

We hope you and your loved ones have a spooktacularly safe Halloween!

10/30/2025

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to shine a bright pink spotlight on our incredible mammography team! 💖

Thank you for your unwavering compassion, expertise, and commitment to early detection all year round. You make a real difference in the lives of our patients.

Remember: Early detection saves lives. Talk to your primary care provider about breast cancer screening!

Pictured left to right: Josie Conrad, Lisa Seal, and Peggy Best