Hospital expands specialty services

AT GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL’S open house for its newly-opened Regional ENT (ears, nose and throat) Clinic and Regional Orthopedic Clinic, Rob and Chris McNeil receive a guided tour of the clinic from nurse and moonlighting tour guide, Pam Canavan. In this procedure room, Canavan provides information about some of the latest cutting-edge equipment available for patients visiting the clinic’s recently-hired MD, otolaryngologist Dr. Brian Affleck. CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer

The Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation hosted an open house at the hospital’s Regional Medical Plaza Friday, unveiling the new ear, nose and throat clinic and orthopedic clinic for the public, and introducing the clinics’ physicians. 

Guests mingled with Dr. Brian Affleck from the ear, nose and throat clinic, and Dr. Chad Burgoyne and Dr. Donald Warren from the orthopedic clinic, while clinic staff provided tours. Paul Shorb, the hospital’s senior director of patient services, talked to guests as the event got under way.

“Grande Ronde Hospital has been a part of the community for more than 100 years and I am proud we are able to continue specialty services to meet the needs of our patients,” Shorb said.

Affleck and Burgoyne are both new to Union County, while Warren continues his practice as part of the regional orthopedic clinic and provides a familiar face for patients.

Affleck is recently retired from a career in the U.S. Air Force. His last assignment was as chief of staff with the 673rd Medical Group at Joint Base Elmendorf in Alaska. His clinic offers services related to otolaryngology, ear surgery and hearing preservation, sinus surgery, sleep medicine and more.

Burgoyne comes to La Grande from Charleston, S.C., as a practicing orthopedic surgeon, with a sports medicine fellowship from West Coast Sports medicine in California.

The new orthopedic clinic he works in is equipped for a full range of orthopedic services, including general care, pediatric care and trauma and fracture repair and rehabilitation.

Together, the two new clinics are providing jobs for 14 people, including five on the ear, nose and throat side and seven in orthopedics, plus two radiology technicians.

The Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation aims to build community relationships and supports the hospital’s commitment to ensuring access to high quality health care. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has funded more than $1.7 million in patient care equipment for the community’s hospital and clinics.

The Regional Medical Plaza is located in the former KAP building at 701 Sunset Dr. The ear, nose and throat clinic and orthopedic clinic are currently open and accepting patients.