At Island Health, facility maintenance and updates are a key strategy for providing exceptional care to our community. Over the last few years, we have worked to create space for future growth in specialty and primary care, as well as surgical services. Our list of projects is extensive, but with funding through federal grants, philanthropy and the tax levy, we were able to complete a major construction project in 2024, with more underway in 2025 and beyond.

Rooftop Helipad Activated

The Emergency Services Project wrapped up in December with the activation of the rooftop helipad. Through congressionally directed spending sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell and generous donations from the Island Health Foundation, Island Health updated and secured the Emergency Department, main entrance and central waiting areas. We also relocated the helipad from the parking lot to the roof of the hospital, improving flight paths and expediting patient care. The final step in this project is to remove the former helipad from the parking lot and create approximately 20 additional parking spaces for patients in the 24th Street parking lot.

Surgical Services Renovations

With the arrival of the da Vinci 5 surgical robot, Island Health is renovating the Surgical Services and Sterile Processing departments to accommodate the new equipment. Updates are being made to the sterile processing equipment, and surgical equipment storage is being expanded. In addition, the endoscopy suite was recently updated to improve processes and workflows during procedures. Read more about the new surgical robot on page 11.

Specialty Clinic Expansion

A major project underway in 2025 is the creation of a multi-specialty clinic on 22nd Street in Anacortes. The former sleep clinic will be renovated to accommodate six exam rooms and four procedure rooms for various specialties, such as pulmonology, urology or others. The remodel includes updated paint, flooring, electrical and HVAC systems. The space will be known as the Barto Building, named after generous donors, Jan and Jerry Barto, and will be open before the end of 2025.