“The future of health care on Orcas Island is the topic, and everyone interested is encouraged to attend,” said Leslie Murdock, President of the Orcas Medical Center Foundation, referring to an April 28 presentation at Orcas Center by Gregory Ayers, MD, PhD, titled, “To a More Efficient Orcas Health Care.”

Ayers, an OMC Foundation Board Member, will present an overview of the board’s vision for the future at the annual meeting of the OMC Foundation, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Madrona Room. Light snacks will also be served. OMC Foundation members and non-members alike are invited to attend.

According to Murdock, whose three-year tenure as Board President will end this year, rural medical practices throughout the U.S. struggle to make ends meet and rarely succeed without major donations from community members.

“Our community is no exception,” she said, “and other medical practices on Orcas face similar challenges. We believe that Orcas needs the most efficient approach we can achieve, so that local resources can be concentrated on health care quality and availability for all Orcas residents. The foundation is taking the lead toward that vision and inviting all Orcas medical providers to participate.”

At the annual meeting, there will also be a report by Anthony Giefer, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Orcas Medical Center, PLLC. That will be followed by guest speaker Dr. Larry Robinson, Vice-Dean for Graduate Medical Education, University of Washington School of Medicine, who will discuss “Diagnosis and Treatment of Pain – A Rehabilitation Medicine Approach.”