Administrators from Grays Harbor Community Hospital gave a presentation at this week’s Aberdeen City Council meeting as part of an effort to improve transparency and ask for support from county residents.

CEO Tom Jensen said earlier this year that the hospital was facing 2017 losses in excess of $8 million. The company has laid off multiple employees and reduced the salaries of those still working there.

Navigant, the consulting team hired by the hospital to help solve its financial crisis, suggested that the hospital’s staff reach out to local cities to better connect with residents.

“Some of the things pointed out by the consultants was we need to stay a lot more focused on building community trust,” Jensen said at the meeting. “Even though we are a public hospital district, and you have the ability to come to the board meetings at any time, they said, ‘Instead of waiting for people to come to you, Tom, you should take a crew and go to them.’ … I’m trying to fulfill that, and let you know what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

Jensen and other hospital officials went over statistics showing that the number of patients has gone down, and spoke about the difficulties of being a rural hospital. He closed the presentation by telling the council and audience members that he hopes they will support the local hospital going forward.

“For a long time, the conversation was to buy local, and that’s really what the hospital is saying today,” he said. “If there are things we can’t do for you, let us know, and we’ll make sure we get you connected to the right place.”

Along with Jensen was Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Marie Wong, Chief Nursing Officer Melanie Brandt and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Nancee Long. They intend to visit all the nearby municipalities in the coming weeks and months.