Space! Doctors excited about new clinic

By Rachel Bucci

Mount Angel Family Medicine is bursting at the seams.

With five healthcare providers and only three exam rooms, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure the numbers don’t add up.

A growing community and corresponding increase in staff meant that the location which has served the clinic for 30 years was stretched to capacity.

Dr. Faith Ksochmann, who along with her husband, Dr. James Domst, has been with Mount Angel Family Medicine for more than five years, said the cramped conditions were affecting daily operations.

“My husband and I, and Dr. James Walker [another doctor in the practice] all share one office,” she said. “We can only have a maximum of three providers in the clinic at one time because there aren’t enough exam rooms to go around. We have five providers, so it makes for some juggling of schedules.”

Beginning in April, the juggling routine will be a distant memory for both doctors and patients, as the practice moves into a specially renovated 5,000 square foot space at 250 W. Marquam St., in Mount Angel.

The building, which was previously a grocery store, has been completely refurbished to provide twice the space, modern workflows and patient amenities that the current clinic lacks.

With input from physicians and staff, the architects designed the renovation to include windows that provide natural light, five examination rooms, and a larger and more comfortable reception and waiting area.

Outside, patients will be greeted by a new façade and landscaping, along with ample parking – something that was in short supply at the old clinic.

“It’s something I often hear from patients, the lack of parking at our space. The larger parking will be a big help,” said Dr. Koschman.

Prior to arriving in Mount Angel, Dr. Koschman and Dr. Domst lived in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, where Dr. Koschmann was active duty in the United States Army.  A family-oriented community with access to the outdoors drew them to Mount Angel.

“We fell in love with the small town atmosphere in Mount Angel and Silverton,” said Dr. Koschmann. “We wanted to do different outdoor activities with our three children – Silver Falls, the mountains, the beach. Felt like an ideal place to raise our children as well as to work.”

According to Rita Kester at Silverton Hospital Network, the space has allowed the clinic to hire four new employees: a receptionist, a referral coordinator, medical assistant and another doctor.

Dr. James Walker joined Mount Angel Family Medicine two months ago. A resident of Silverton, Dr. Walker has practiced medicine for nearly 30 years, most recently with Dr. Michael Wicks, who is now retired.

Dr. Walker said that he enjoys working with Mount Angel Family Medicine because it gives him an opportunity to see a wide range of patients – from obstetrical cases, to newborns and elderly patients on Medicare.

He also said that he enjoys the technological links that give providers access to up-to-date patient records across the network.

Kester said that for now, roughly half of the new building will be home to Silverton Hospital Network’s materials management department, which orders, stocks and delivers medical and office supplies to all of the network’s facilities.

Having that extra space will also provide some flexibility for possible expansion of the clinic in the future.
Mount Angel Family Medicine, which is accepting new patients, will open at the new location on March 28.
On Thursday, April 14 between 3 and 7 p.m. locals will have a chance to peek inside during an opening ceremony. The ribbon cutting ceremony, slated for 3:30 p.m. will include a traditional German business custom and blessing, and physicians will be on hand to meet with the public. Clinic tours, live music, an art contest and chicken dance competition are also on tap.

“I can’t wait to see it myself, it’s been a while since I’ve been over there,” said Dr. Koschmann. “The last time I was over there the framing was up.”