SEASIDE Michael Blauer is the new chief executive of Providence Seaside Hospital.

Blauer replaced former Chief Executive Krista Farnham, who accepted the chief operations officer position at Providence Portland Medical Center last November.

As chief executive of Morrow County Health District in Heppner, Blauer oversaw a 21-bed hospital, two rural health clinics, home health and hospice programs, emergency medical services and an assisted living facility.

He previously worked in health systems and hospitals in Colorado, Michigan and Idaho.

I used to be a hospital interpreter, said Blauer, who is fluent in Spanish. I was fascinated by what I saw as a hospital interpreter. I was called night and day, and I saw a lot behind the scenes.

He earned a masters degree in health services administration at the University of Michigan. He also has bachelors degrees in Spanish and business management from Idaho State University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Shortly after his arrival at Providence Seaside, the hospital received a review from the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that accredits hospitals throughout the U.S. The Joint Commission inspects hospitals every three years, and this year was the appointed year for Providence Seaside.

The commission looks at the hospitals processes and patient care practices and examines the facilities for safety.

While, the Joint Commissions visit might have been stressful during Blauers second week on the job, it was helpful, too, he said. It enabled him to get a quick in-depth look at the hospital he will be supervising.

He already understands some of the challenges the hospital faces: doctors who leave for other opportunities after being there only a few years; potential burnout of medical personnel who are on call more often than those in larger hospitals; and the lack of affordable housing and other job opportunities for spouses.

Part of the solution to those problems, he said, is being open at hiring time.

We need to make sure people understand the situation, Blauer said. We want them to be fully aware of everything.

But because Providence Seaside is part of a larger hospital system, resources are available that a smaller hospital might not have, Blauer pointed out. Telemedicine is becoming more popular because it enables a medical expert at one hospital to be able to visit with a patient at another hospital via computer.

My understanding is that it is going well here. There are some exciting things happening, Blauer said. It keeps people from having to travel to other hospitals.

With the new federal Affordable Care Act, Providence Seaside will be looking to coordinate care with other health care providers and providing easier access to health care for local patients who might otherwise go to the hospital emergency room for care.

Blauer said he would also look into collaborating with instead of competing against Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria.

We are different organizations, with different histories and backgrounds. We have traditionally competed more than we have collaborated, and in some things we may still compete, Blauer said.

Blauers initial priorities, however, are to get a good lay of the land, connect with staff, learn about Providence and connect with providers.