GUIDING THE WAY
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
VALUES
VISION Everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. MISSION To increase the years of healthy life in the people and communities we serve.
RESPECT We treat people as we would want them to treat us and strive to understand and reconcile our differences. We practice professionalism and kindness with each other. ACCOUNTABILITY We accept responsibility for our work, invest wisely, and do what we say we will do. INTEGRITY We strive to make honest, responsible decisions and act in alignment with our mission, vision, and values. COLLABORATION We work alongside our patients, staff, and community partners to improve health. INNOVATION We adapt to the ever-changing needs of the future.
DEAR FRIENDS and PARTNERS
Dear Friends and Partners, We are honored that Unity Care NW continues to serve an essential role in our community. At a time when so much around us feels beyond our control and influence, we are grateful to be able to lean into Unity Care’s deeply rooted principles of community partnership, compassion, service, whole-person care, and our belief that healthcare is a basic human right. Through the dedication and innovation of our staff, and collaboration with you and other partners, Unity Care is continuing to grow both our reach and our impact throughout the county. We invite you
to reflect with us, through the following pages, on what your support has helped us achieve over the past year. We remain enormously grateful to you and all our partners and donors, who help guide our growth and secure our future. Thank you for enabling us to continue providing care to all who seek it, regardless of their ability to pay. Through your support and investment, we are increasing the years of healthy life in the people and communities we serve. Here’s to the continued pursuit of our vision: a future where everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.
Senior Leadership Danielle Crim , Human Resources Director Charlie Earle , Chief Information Officer Muriel Handschy , Senior Adviser Shanon Hardie , Chief Operating Officer Pam Jacobs , Behavioral Health Director
2024 Board of Directors Jennifer Moldver , President Chris Phillips , Vice President
Vincent Foster , Secretary Adam Van Ness , Treasurer James Brown , Past President
Jodi S. Joyce
Jen Moldver
Chief Executive Officer
Chair, Board of Directors
Jodi Joyce , Chief Executive Officer Chris Kobdish , Chief Strategy Officer Susan Kranzpiller MD, Medical Director Lisa Nelson , Chief Pharmacy Officer Bonnie Ross , Chief Financial & Compliance Officer Carrie Shane DDS, Dental Director
Liane Koester Teresa Mansoor Denise Morris Catherine Strong
Kimberly Burns John Coffey Rachael Hagin Cataline Harkleroad
In 2024, we achieved strong financial performance and positive net income, supported by a 9% increase in patient visits and a 21% rise in prescription volume, resulting in a 10% boost in service revenue. Government grant revenue declined by 38%, largely due to the expiration of COVID-related funding. FINANCES
We established five Organizational Goals in 2020: becoming a Provider of Choice, Leader in Health Outcomes, Sought-After Partner, and Employer of Choice, while ensuring long-term Financial Sustainability. We are grateful to be making continued progress toward each of these goals, including the following achievements in 2024. THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Revenue - $ 50,616,360
Patient Insurance Revenue 87 %
Patient Payment Revenue 2 % Other Income <1 %
Provider of Choice We served more patients than ever before in 2024: 24,750 - a 54% increase from 2014, now serving more than 1 in 10 residents of Whatcom County. Each of our clinical services – Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Pharmacy, and Case Management – achieved their highest-ever number of completed annual visits. Our Pharmacy served a record 7,807 patients and expanded their services to include immunizations for adults. 4,249 vaccines were administered, protecting patients from flu, shingles, and COVID-19. Leader in Health Outcomes UCNW delivered better health outcomes for our patients — who rank in the top 10% of most medically complex in the state — through expert management of multiple conditions and collaboration with specialists for comprehensive care.
We also completed the third cohort of our in-house Aspiring Leaders program — a competitive and impactful leadership development experience. 12 participants engaged in weekly sessions and applied real-world leadership practices. Financial Sustainability Unity Care NW selected an architect to begin planning a renovation of our Bellingham locations – 1616 Cornwall, 220 Unity, and 218 Unity. When completed, this remodel will expand access to enable us to serve many more individuals in and near downtown Bellingham who do not yet have a health care home. We launched organization-wide efforts to enhance efficiency, streamline care coordination, and enable us to serve more patients effectively. This included the transition to the Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR), which went live in early 2025.
Unity Care NW was honored to be selected for the Henry Schein Global Product Donation Program, receiving 154 brand-new medical and dental items to support patient care. We also relaunched the Veggie Rx Program through the Washington State Department of Health’s Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program. The program provided hundreds of vouchers redeemable at Safeway, helping patients with chronic conditions and limited access to fresh food improve their health and diets. Employer of Choice Unity Care NW continued to invest in our people. In 2024, we welcomed 88 new staff members and celebrated 23 internal promotions, growing to a workforce of 310 dedicated professionals. We proudly continued our participation in the national Leadership Women Pipeline program. Since 2020, we have selected 28 employees to attend this intensive, day-long training. This year, seven team members were chosen to represent Unity Care NW.
Children's wellness visits dropped sharply during the pandemic. We surpassed our goals by helping 71% of kids aged 3–11 get back on track with annual checkups. In 2024 we set and met a goal to screen 90% of our patients for depression, identifying symptoms earlier and connecting more patients to crucial mental health care. In 2021, nearly 30% of our diabetic patients had high blood sugar (HbA1c). Patients were provided with nutrition guidance and lifestyle support as intervention. Now less than 18% of our patients have an elevated HbA1c. Sought-After Partner After years of planning, we proudly opened The Way Station, a unique Health & Hygiene Center for individuals experiencing homelessness. In partnership with Opportunity Council, Whatcom County Health & Human Services, and PeaceHealth, the facility offers restrooms, showers, laundry, walk-in medical and behavioral health care, and medical respite beds for patients referred from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
Investment Interest 2 % Private Grants & Donations 2 %
Government Grants & Contracts 7 %
Expenses - $ 48,758,358
Fundraising 1 %
Hygiene < 1 %
Medical 24 %
Billing 2 %
Behavioral Health 9 %
Dental 22 %
Administration & Operations 20 %
Pharmacy 22 %
GUIDING THE WAY: A New Path to Health and Stability
Imagined in 2018 as a resting stop for individuals on their journey out of homelessness, The Way Station has become a reality thanks to the collaborative efforts of Unity Care NW (UCNW), the Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and Whatcom County Health and Community Services. Located at 1500 N. State Street, this innovative facility officially opened its doors in November 2024, offering critical services to those in need.
• The Opportunity Council manages the medical respite program and provides housing case management, helping guests transition into stable housing. • PeaceHealth offers meals and facilitates referrals for medical respite care. • Whatcom County Health and Community Services continues to operate from the offices upstairs, supporting complementary programs such as Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE), Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), and Emergency Medical Services. Making an Immediate Impact The demand for The Way Station’s services has been overwhelming. UCNW set an ambitious goal of serving 750 individuals in its first year. Remarkably, within just six months, nearly 800 people had already accessed hygiene services alone. This resounding response highlights the critical role The Way Station plays in the community. Unity Care NW remains committed to expanding health care access so that everyone in Whatcom County has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through The Way Station we and our partners are providing essential support and a path forward for local community members on their journey out of homelessness.
Before the pandemic, the Homeless Strategies Workgroup — convened by the Mayor of Bellingham — identified an “Urban Rest Stop” with shower and laundry services as a top priority. The workgroup also recommended specialized shelter options paired with housing case management to address the unique needs of different populations. UCNW and PeaceHealth, both acutely aware of the struggles faced by unhoused individuals, recognized the urgency. With 10% of UCNW’s patients experiencing homelessness and PeaceHealth regularly grappling with discharge challenges for patients lacking a safe place to recuperate, the need for a centralized support hub was evident. The housing crisis and the subsequent rise in homelessness underscored the necessity of a facility where individuals could access medical and mental health care, recover in a safe environment, and regain dignity through basic hygiene services. The Way Station was created to meet these needs. A Collaborative Solution After years of planning, researching successful models, and navigating pandemic-related delays, The Way Station officially launched in 2024. Each partner plays a vital role: • Unity Care NW leads hygiene services (showers, laundry facilities, restrooms) and provides on- site medical care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and case management.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER?
Muriel Handschy A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPASSIONATE CARE
Improving Health Outcomes
Community health centers serve 31 million Americans — the highest number of patients in the 60-year history of the Health Center Program. But what exactly is a community health center?
3,762 82% 4,249 90%
HIV tests administered
Across the country, more than 1,400 federally qualified community health centers (FQHCs), like Unity Care NW, deliver integrated care services, including medical, dental, and behavioral health. In Washington state, 57% of FQHC patients are covered by Medicaid and 16% are uninsured. 1 These centers are a cornerstone of our nation’s healthcare system — mission-driven to serve everyone regardless of ability to pay. In 2023 over 90% of FQHC patients had incomes below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines — roughly $30,000 a year for an
individual. FQHCs serve one in eight children across the country, 9.7 million rural patients , and over 1.4 million people experiencing homelessness . 2 Rooted in the neighborhoods we serve, FQHCs go beyond treating illness. We help patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes and depression , while also providing preventive services like immunization and HIV testing . Looking at 2024 patient data, it’s clear that Unity Care NW remains a vital part of making care accessible in Whatcom County — and helping everyone live their healthiest life.
Immunizations delivered
When Muriel Handschy joined Unity Care NW (then known as Interfaith Family Health Center) in 1991 as a student intern, no one could have predicted the impact she would have on the organization over the next three decades. Muriel became Unity Care NW’s tenth employee in 1992, hired as the clinic’s third provider after earning her Master of Nursing from the University of Washington. Over the next 33 years, she would go on to serve in multiple leadership roles — including Primary Care Provider, Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, and Senior Advisor — helping shape the organization's mission and model of care. "I loved it from the very beginning," Muriel reflects. "Every patient is treated with the maximum amount of respect." From her early days seeing patients in a small clinic to helping guide Unity Care NW through decades of expansion, Muriel was a constant presence as the organization evolved to meet the growing needs of Whatcom County. In 1992, Unity Care NW had just 10 full-time employees. Today, the organization serves 24,750 patients annually, with 111,333 patient visits in 2024.
Throughout her career, Muriel remained committed to whole-person care, ensuring patients had access to not just medical services, but dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health support. Her impact is seen in the thousands of lives she’s touched — especially those who came to Unity Care NW on Medicaid or without insurance. She recalls one of her first patients fondly: "He was just off the streets and had completed an inpatient recovery process. And he did so well — started a business, met someone, got married, had two kids who both went to college. I still get Christmas cards from him." Muriel officially retired in March 2025, capping off an extraordinary career that helped lay the foundation for Unity Care NW’s future. Reflecting on what the future holds for UCNW, she says: “I have so much faith in our staff, in our senior leadership, in figuring out new innovative ways to address whatever those challenges are that come.”
Diabetes patients with controlled blood sugar
1992
Patients screened for depression
12,848
Dental exams
Total
24,750
Who We Serve
Low-Income Patients
Patient Totals
People living at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) subsist on $15,060 a year for an individual and $30,000 for a family of 4. Only 20% of our patients live on more than $30,120 a year (over 200% FPL).
7,783 2,478 11,819
Medicaid
14,836
Children
20% +200% FPL
Our Medicaid patients could fill Joe Martin
48% 0-100% FPL
Rural patients
Field, home of the Bellingham Bells, nearly 5 times.
32% 100-200% FPL
1,598 3,113
Uninsured Medicare
Unhoused patients
Watch the video to hear about Muriel's commitment to Health Care for Everyone.
Private Insurance & Other
5,203
1. National Association of Community Health Centers Health Care Fact Sheet for Washington State 2. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2024
Data Source: Uniform Data System (UDS)
THANK YOU to our 2024 CONTRIBUTORS
The generosity of our supporters empowers us to serve our community members when they need it most. Unity Care NW is honored to have an incredible group of individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors. We appreciate you, your kindness, and commitment to ensuring everyone has access to vital health care.
PUBLIC FUNDERS Bellingham Public Library (in-kind) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
INDIVIDUALS Philip Andress Jr. Mark Ashworth Brenda and Carl Asplund Raizelah Bayen and Tim Burnett Jill and Gary Blair Steen Brochner-Nielsen Mark and Charlene Brooks Charles Schwab Charitable Funds: Margot Clemmens Lynne Pendleton Frances R Posel Paul Sarvasy and Sheila Sondik Mary Frances Brown and David Cahalan, MD Steven and Denise Bruce Susan L Campbell Cross Ellen and Richard Carpentier
Tamera Devoss James Duemmel Pamela Englett Fidelity Charitable Funds: Anonymous Donor Advised Fund The Carl A. and Margaret A. Johnson Family Foundation Don and Joy Keenan Tyler G. Warne Vincent and Dianne Foster Elizabeth Gabay Lisa and Kevin Geraghty CCIM Aamir K Ghaffar Carly and Joseph Haapala Samantha and Bradley Hamstreet Shanon Hardie Victoria Henderson in Honor of Clara Noble Henley Family in Memory of Greg Henley Dr. Harry and Elizabeth Herdman Claude and Faye Hill Marcy Hipskind Patti and Frank Imhof Kay Ingram Will and Jodi Joyce Kelly and Kevin Kaemingk Thomas King Jan Klineburger Christina Kobdish Len and Grace Kolodychuk
Dawn and Barry Landau Lee Langdon Jewel Leuba Tami J. Livingston Rachel Lucy Tim and Suzanne Lucy
Jackie Saul and Devon McKibbin Miriam and Greg Schwartz in Honor of Family Health Associates Roger Sharf Rebecca Frevert and Desmond Skubi
Washington State Department of Health (in-kind) Whatcom County Whatcom County Library System (in-kind)
HEALTH CARE CHAMPIONS Special appreciation for these year-round sponsors: Arcora Foundation Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) Gage Commercial Real Estate PeaceHealth
Don and Pat Smith Dr. Diane R. Staves Ruth Steele Dorothy Strong The Stuit Family
Melinda Lunsford The Macgregors John and Cheryl Macpherson Ross Marquardt
FOUNDATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, & BUSINESSES Amerisell Inc, Flax4Life (in-kind) Arcora Foundation Area Health Education Center for Western Washington (in-kind)
Molina Healthcare Of WA North Sound ACH Opportunity Council PeaceHealth Puget Sound Energy Reach Out and Read (in-kind) RMC Architects PLLC Samson Rope Shower Hygiene Outreach Team (SHOT) (in-kind) Sound Beverage Distributors Superfeet Worldwide Inc Thrivent Choice Umpqua Bank Vizient in Honor of Lisa Nelson
David and Monica Sulier Shaun P. Sullivan MD in Memory of Ellen Kaster
Mary McDougall and Greg Horton Wanda McGlasson and Alan Heezen Andrea Megehee in Memory of Jill Menser Tim and Linda Miller Susan Moen Judy Moldver in Memory of Dr. Eric T. Moldver
Bellingham Bay Rotary Binyon Vision Center Bombas (in-kind)
Leslie Sweeney Mary Swenson Mistie and Michael Taylor Maureen Traxler Tamara Tregoning and Caleb Sanders Rebecca Unger Whatcom Community Foundation Funds: Anonymous Donor Advised Grant Phyllis & Charles Self Endowment Fund Susan and Loch Trimingham Fund Posel Gockley Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation John and Kathy Whitmer Holly and Dan Whittle Maxwell Williams David and Rena Ziegler
Boulder Associates Buffalo Exchange Carolina Health Centers in Honor of Lisa Nelson Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals (in-kind) Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) Faith Lutheran Church First Congregational Church (in-kind) Gage Commercial Real Estate Henry Schein and Henry Schein Cares (in-kind)
Kirsten Oliver Erin O'Moore Mary and Buzz Ostlund
Puget Sound Energy RMC Architects PLLC
Scot Casey Aida Chan
Richard and Karen Clark Rick and Janet Congdon Becky and Paul Connor MD Don and Michelle Cook Thomas Cornwall and Gail Kirgis Susan Costanzo Betty and Glenn Cribbs
Chris Phillips and Maggie Mamolen, MD Michael Pietro and Christine Kubota Nancy Posel In Honor of Stephen Gockley Dan Raas Susan Radke Kainui Rapaport Tim R. Carol Sandvig
VSP Vision (in-kind) Whatcom Community Foundation
Melvin De Jong Ronald De Valois
14 donors wish to remain anonymous All efforts were taken to ensure accuracy of this list. Please contact our Planning & Communications Department with questions or concerns: Development@ucnw.org or (360) 788-2628
"Thank you for all that you do — it truly matters. Your dedication, expertise, and compassion make a difference in the lives of your patients." – Unity Care NW Patient
Medical & Chidren's Dental Services 220 Unity Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 676-6177 BELLINGHAM
Adult Dental, Behavioral Health, Donations and Administration 1616 Cornwall Ave. Ste. 205 Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 676-6177
In-House Pharmacy 218 Unity Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 752-7406
Quest Diagnostics Lab 218 Unity Street Bellingham, WA 98225
The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center 1500 N State Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 676-6177
FERNDALE
Medical, Dental, and Behavioral Health Services 6060 Portal Way Ferndale, WA 98248 (360) 676-6177
In-House Pharmacy 6060 Portal Way Ferndale, WA 98248 (360) 752-7408
Quest Diagnostics Lab 6060 Portal Way Ferndale, WA 98248
UnityCareNW.org
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