Step through the doors of Pioneer Memorial Hospital and you'll immediately understand why this isn't just another rural healthcare facility struggling to survive. Since opening in 1950, this 21-bed Critical Access Hospital has evolved into the healthcare anchor for Morrow County, combining the warmth of small-town medicine with technological sophistication. Recent investments – including Oracle Cerner's PowerChart EMR, a new 64-slice CT scanner, mobile MRI capabilities, and property acquisitions for staff housing – highlight a forward-thinking board committed to both clinical excellence and provider recruitment.
As part of Morrow County Health District, a non-profit Oregon Special District, you'll practice within a uniquely stable structure that prioritizes community health over profit. The district operates under a five-member publicly elected board that rotates meetings across communities, ensuring genuine accountability. With 72 employees across multiple facilities, including clinics in Boardman, Ione, and Irrigon, the district delivers everything from 24/7 emergency care to home health and hospice services.
The hospital’s comprehensive services belie its rural setting. Beyond primary care, it offers diabetes management, smoking cessation, occupational health, school-based care, and women's health. The ED, staffed 24/7, handles ~1,379 visits annually with Life Flight transfer capabilities. Its extended care unit provides skilled nursing and swing bed services, allowing continuity across the full spectrum of care.
What sets Morrow County Health District apart is its commitment to providers. Benefits include fully paid medical, dental, and vision for families, paid ambulance memberships, and substantial retirement contributions. Strategic investments – including staff housing and expanded physician recruitment – underscore a commitment to building a sustainable medical staff for the future.
This is rural healthcare done right – financially stable, technologically current, community-governed, and supportive of both providers and patients.
As a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), Pioneer Memorial operates under a specialized federal designation that recognizes its essential role in rural care. This designation provides advantages for both the hospital and its physicians.
Pioneer Memorial Hospital exemplifies the CAH model at its best – essential services for rural residents, financial sustainability for the district, and a practice environment where physicians can make a profound difference with autonomy and support.