When you step through the doors of Good Shepherd Health Care System, you'll become part of a healthcare legacy dating back to 1954, built on a foundation of community service and inclusivity. Unlike corporate-owned facilities where decisions often come from distant headquarters, Good Shepherd maintains its independence as a voluntary nonprofit governed by a local 12-member Board of Trustees. This autonomous structure creates a responsive environment where leadership decisions reflect community needs rather than shareholder demands. The system's evolution from its humble 30-bed beginnings to today's comprehensive healthcare campus showcases a commitment to growth and excellence, with thoughtful expansions in 1984, 1988, 1995, 2000, and the 2006–2010 renovation period.
Your general surgery practice at Good Shepherd will be supported by an impressive array of clinical resources that belies the organization's rural setting. The medical center features 25 staffed beds (49 licensed) with a consistently high occupancy rate of 65.5%, reflecting its essential role in regional healthcare delivery. Despite its 25-bed operation, the surgical capabilities include six operating rooms with state-of-the-art technology like the Da Vinci Surgical System and Mako Robotic Surgery for joint replacements—advanced tools that many rural practitioners lack access to. The diagnostic capabilities extend beyond what you might expect, featuring a 128-slice CT scanner, 1.5T MRI (with plans for a 3T upgrade), and a recently acquired PET scanner.
Good Shepherd operates as a Critical Access Hospital, a specialized federal designation that creates unique advantages for both the organization and the physicians who practice there. While the hospital often "pretends" to be a Critical Access Hospital due to its more extensive capabilities, this designation provides crucial financial and operational benefits that contribute to its remarkable stability—demonstrated by its 400+ days of cash on hand (compared to the typical hospital's 100 days). For you as a healthcare professional, this translates to a more stable practice environment where clinical decisions can be driven by patient needs rather than economic pressures, and where resources for program development and technological investment remain consistently available.
Your General Surgery practice will be part of a comprehensive service line portfolio that addresses the full spectrum of community health needs. Good Shepherd has invested strategically in specialty services including Cardiology, Urology, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Physiatry, Women's Health, Endocrinology, and Sleep Medicine. This diverse portfolio ensures your patients can receive coordinated care for complex conditions without lengthy travel. The primary care foundation includes established Family Medicine and Internal Medicine departments, providing a strong referral network for your specialty. The integrated Epic electronic medical record system facilitates seamless communication across specialties, supporting truly comprehensive patient care.
As a General Surgeon at Good Shepherd, you'll serve a significant regional population of approximately 75,000 patients across Northeast Oregon, primarily spanning Umatilla and Morrow Counties. Patient origin data reveals that while 59.1% of patients come from Hermiston itself, you'll also serve significant populations from Umatilla (12%), Irrigon (8.3%), Stanfield (7.1%), and Pendleton (5.9%). The hospital's position as a regional hub is evidenced by its busy emergency department, which handles an estimated 21,642 visits annually, and by its strong referral relationships with primary care providers throughout the area.
The culture at Good Shepherd reflects a commitment to both clinical excellence and innovation that has earned multiple national recognitions. Named to the National Rural Healthcare Association's Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and consistently recognized as a Top Workplace by both The Oregonian and Gallagher, the organization has cultivated an environment where healthcare professionals can thrive. This culture of excellence extends to the organization's investment in advancing technology, from robotic surgical systems to the recent imaging upgrades. Your practice will benefit from this forward-thinking approach, working within an organization with the financial strength—$340 million in total assets and a net income margin of 12.1%—to provide the foundation for continued innovation and program development.
Good Shepherd Health Care System offers what many physicians seek throughout their careers: the opportunity to practice with advanced resources and capabilities while maintaining the connection to community and colleagues often lost in larger institutions. Unlike urban medical centers where physicians become anonymous providers in massive systems, Good Shepherd creates an environment where your contributions are visible, valued, and directly impact the healthcare delivered to your community. This combination of comprehensive capabilities, financial stability, organizational excellence, and meaningful connection creates a practice environment where healthcare professionals thrive professionally while experiencing the satisfaction of truly making a difference in their patients' lives.