SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2021 | 5A
PEACEHEALTH WILL REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINATION BY AUG. 31
On Aug. 3, PeaceHealth
announced that starting
Aug. 31, 2021, all care-
givers will be required
to be vaccinated against
COVID-19 or submit a
qualifying medical ex-
emption. Unvaccinated
individuals will be sub-
ject to regular COVID-19
testing, as well as addi-
tional masking, potential
reassignment to non-pa-
tient care settings, and
other safety protocols.
The policy will apply to
all caregivers, including
providers, students, con-
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Since 1939
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
tractors, vendors, and
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“Though nearly 80% of
PeaceHealth
caregivers
have already been vacci-
nated, the rise in hospi-
talizations in our commu-
nities is a stark reminder
that we are facing a public
health emergency and we
must do more,” said Dr.
Doug Koekkoek, Peace-
Health’s Chief Physician
Executive. “We believe all
healthcare workers who
are medically able should
get a COVID-19 vaccine
to keep themselves, our
patients and our com-
munities safe. Doing so
is part of our mission to
promote personal and
community health and
our vision to make sure
that every person receives
safe, compassionate care.”
While the organization
has had high rates of vol-
untary caregiver vacci-
nation, after thoughtful
deliberation and a for-
mal ethical discernment,
PeaceHealth joins many
health systems across the
country, and professional
organizations including
the Catholic Health As-
sociation, the American
Hospital Association, the
American Medical As-
sociation, the American
Nurses Association and
others, in ensuring public
health by requiring vacci-
nation.
Bob K. Pelz, MD, Peace-
Health’s system Medical
Director of Infection Pre-
vention, noted that, “New
variants of COVID-19
pose a critical threat to
those unable to be vacci-
nated, including children
and the medically vulner-
able. It is our moral obli-
gation to first do no harm
and act for the common
good. COVID-19 vaccines
are proven to be the best
way to protect ourselves
and reduce the likelihood
of harming others.”
This new policy is a re-
flection of the organiza-
tion’s shared commitment
to ensure every patient
receives safe care at Peace-
Health and is part of a
multi-measured approach
to protect caregivers and
patients, along with the
supply of personal protec-
tive equipment, routine
testing, masking, social
distancing, diligent hy-
giene, contact tracing and
proper quarantining.
PeaceHealth, based in
Vancouver, Wash., is a
not-for-profit
Catholic
health system offering
care to communities in
Washington, Oregon and
Alaska.
PeaceHealth has ap-
proximately 16,000 care-
givers, a medical group
practice with more than
1,200 providers and 10
medical centers serv-
ing both urban and rural
communities throughout
the Northwest. In 1890,
the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Peace founded what has
become PeaceHealth. The
Sisters shared expertise
and transferred wisdom
from one medical center
to another, always finding
the best way to serve the
unmet need for healthcare
in their communities.
Today, PeaceHealth is
the legacy of the founding
Sisters and continues with
a spirit of respect, stew-
ardship, collaboration and
social justice in fulfilling
its mission.
For more information,
visit peacehealth.org.
COVID from page 1A
respond to public health
emergencies via regu-
lation. ONA is eager to
continue our work with
hospitals and community
groups to encourage vac-
cinations through a wide
range of options includ-
ing free vaccine clinics,
vaccine education, vac-
cination incentives and
community outreach to
improve vaccination rates
and address the rampant
disinformation that is
creating uncertainty and
fueling vaccine hesitancy.
“Vaccination is a critical
tool to keep Oregonians
healthy and safe and Gov.
Brown’s announcement
today will help close the
gap in vaccination rates
for Oregon’s valuable
health care workers.”
The new rule applies to
personnel in health care
settings who have direct
or indirect contact with
patients or infectious ma-
terials.
The Governor’s Office
continues to look at ad-
ditional health and safety
options to protect Orego-
nians against the highly
contagious Delta variant,
including vaccination and
testing policies for state
workers, with conver-
sations continuing with
stakeholders about how
similar protective mea-
sures can be implemented
in various state workplac-
es.
Brown called on oth-
er public and private
employers in Oregon to
consider measures to fa-
cilitate their employees’
access to vaccines: “As we
have throughout this pan-
demic, we are learning to
adapt to the new reality
the Delta variant has cre-
ated. I am encouraging
Oregon cities, counties,
businesses, and employers
to think creatively, and to
consider measures such
as paid time off for vac-
cination, and incentives
for employees, in addition
to instituting masking
requirements and other
health and safety mea-
sures in the workplace. I
am doing the same with
the State of Oregon’s
workforce, as we look for
ways to remove barriers
to easy access to vaccina-
tion.”
State law currently pro-
hibits employers from in-
dependently mandating
vaccines for certain lim-
ited categories of work-
ers, including health care
workers, an issue the
governor intends to work
with stakeholders and leg-
islators to address in the
February 2022 session.
Scott Palmer of the Or-
egon Nurses Association
(ONA) said: “This is a
reasonable and sensible
approach which respects
the individual choices
of health care workers
while also protecting pub-
lic health. ONA believes
COVID-19 vaccinations
are critical to protecting
our members, our pa-
tients, our families and
our communities and we
urge all Oregonians who
can get vaccinated to do
so now.
“ONA is also gratified
to note that Oregon’s cur-
rent law provides the state
the flexibility necessary to
Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun
CHURCH DIRECTORY
To include your organization in this directory,
please call us @ 541-997-3441
BAHA’I FAITH OF FLORENCE
Ongoing Devotions, Study Circles, Services
To The Community, Informal Gatherings.
For Information, Visit Us On Facebook:
Baha’I Community of Florence, Oregon Or
Phone 541-590-0779
BAY BERRY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Friday Evenings – 7 PM SINGSPIRATION
You are invited to come and sing your favorite
Ole Time Gospel songs. Come and enjoy a time of
fellowship & refreshments before we sing.
NEW LOCATION
Now Meeting in Fellowship Hall of First Baptist
Church at 1935 East 25th Street
For Info: Jack - 541-999-8278 or
Ron - mccrary9483@gmail.com
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
2705 Munsel Lake Road, All are welcome!
Sunday Worship Services are at 10 AM & 11:15 AM.
Bishop Larry Farnsworth 541-999-1979
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –
Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533
Sunday Services are 9am and 11am and on
Facebook live and KCST at 11am
Wednesdays at 7pm
https://www.ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org/church-online
Other platforms update after the service.
ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org
ofﬁ ce@ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational
Service is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Service also streaming live at 10:00 am
at ﬂ orencechurch.com
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer.
Until it is safe to meet in person, Sunday Worship Services
are available 24/7 on our website: www.florenceuuf.org
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
Link to Sunday services at
www.ﬂ orenceunitedmethodist.org
or ﬁ nd us on Facebook.
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall.
Website: ﬂ orence4square.com
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A.
21st & Spruce Streets—997-8113
Interim Pastor David Brauer-Rieke, All are welcome.
Sunday in-person worship service@ 10:30.
Also available to you on website
www.ﬂ orencenewlifelutheran.org.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136
Internet and in person Sunday services at 10AM,
Call the church for details.
Reverend Greg Wood
All Welcome. Come as you are.
through Oregon’s Coastal
Playground and make a
personalized keepsake for
friends and family.
NEW LOCATIONS
& CHARMS
IN 2021
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We meet Sunday’s at 11am in our homes.
Call 408-482-1141 or 541-997-4237 for locations.
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S.
Worship Services 10am 1st & 2nd Sunday
and 8am 3rd & 4th Sunday
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcﬂ orence
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL
Church Welcomes You
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Worship
Sun.
9am Wed 11am 2135 19th St.
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
541-997-6600 standssecretary19@gmail.com Labyrinth &
1833 Tamarack Street
Garden daily 8am-5pm
(2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
“Be the change.”
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristﬂ orence.org
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1.5
miles
south
of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
COVID-19
Compliant
Masses have been scheduled.
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Please call our ofﬁ ce for details.
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 11:00 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 10:00 A.M.
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Give us a call 541-997-3441
to get us your updates or email to:
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Organized by the Siuslaw News
ﬂ orencecharmtrail.com •
@FlorenceCharmTrail