News

Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) and KEDA recently joined forces to launch a new website, KitsapHealthCareers.org, in an effort to showcase and strengthen Kitsap County’s healthcare workforce.  Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) and Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) recently joined forces to launch a new website, KitsapHealthCareers.org, in an effort to showcase and strengthen Kitsap County’s healthcare workforce. “The kitsaphealthcareers.org webpage is a result of the collective work happening as part of KCHP, led by Kitsap Public Health District. KCHP is a multiyear process that engages partners and leaders in reviewing data, identifying community health priorities, and implementing strategies to address...

KEDA Vice Chair and Healthcare Leader Recognized for Advancing Workforce Development, Regional Investment, and Healthcare Expansion in Kitsap CountyKITSAP COUNTY, WA — Chad Melton, Interim President, Puget Sound Market and President of St. Michael Medical Center, has been named the 2026 Economic Development Advocate of the Year by the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA). The award was presented at WEDA’s Winter/Spring Conference in Olympia/Lacey.WEDA’s Economic Development Awards recognize outstanding achievement in advancing economic vitality across Washington State.KEDA nominated Melton for his leadership in workforce development, regional investment, and healthcare expansion in Kitsap County.Melton helped secure a $2.5 million investment from...

Olympic College News Release  BREMERTON, Wash. – Tim and Bev Ryan, Founder of Tim Ryan Construction Inc., continue to transform lives in Kitsap County through their enduring support of Olympic College. The college recently received a $1 million gift from the family that will significantly enhance healthcare education in the region for years to come.The funds will be used to purchase cutting-edge equipment and upgrade existing facilities across all healthcare programs, including the expansion project and remodel at the Poulsbo Campus. In recognition of their generosity, the college will dedicate the sonography lab in their name as the Tim Ryan Family...

Kitsap is home to a richly diverse pool of talented residents from former Navy personnel to graduates of colleges and universities, tech centers, and military training.Kitsap County is a fantastic place to live, and KEDA is working on both attracting a talented workforce and keeping them in Kitsap County. That’s why the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) supports a variety of Workforce Initiatives to enhance retention.“When you think of a labor market, you can see that the demand side will continue to change depending on the needs of employers, whether in the private or public sectors. In our current economy, most workers,...

New hybrid ED/urgent care, other community collaborations help ensure appropriate care closer to home, relieve overburdened hospitals and lower costs for patientsVMFH Press Release  Today, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) announced key milestones in its ongoing efforts to improve access and reduce cost of care for residents across the Puget Sound, especially those on the Kitsap Peninsula. Kitsap County’s population growth is outpacing Washington state averages, while there remains a shortage of primary care and specialty care providers in the area, presenting both a unique challenge and opportunity to better serve the community.To help address some of the community's most pressing...

Olympic College announces partnership with Kitsap County Commissioners & Virginia Mason Franciscan Health(Poulsbo, Wash.) – Olympic College is excited to announce a partnership with the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) on the first phase of building a new regional health sciences campus at its Poulsbo location.With generous contributions of $6 million of American Recovery Plan Act funding from Kitsap County Commissioners and $2.5 million from VMFH, the first phase will include the launch of new health science programs to fill critical health care roles in the region. The programs include dental assisting, dental hygiene,...

Kitsap County’s healthcare system is only as strong as the people who power it—and right now, strengthening that workforce is more important than ever.That’s why a new regional effort is putting healthcare careers front and center. Through a collaborative initiative led by Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) and hosted by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), the newly launched KitsapHealthCareers.org is designed to connect people with meaningful career opportunities while improving public access to care across the region.Healthcare careers are more than jobs—they are essential to the well-being of our communities. From hospitals and clinics to schools, tribal health services,...