Category: CurrentNews

Jodi at The Way Station ribbon cutting ceremony in 2024.

After six years of dedicated service, Unity Care NW announces that CEO Jodi Joyce will retire later this year. Jodi joined Unity Care NW just one month before the COVID-19 pandemic began and has led the organization through one of the most challenging and transformative periods in health care.

Under Jodi’s leadership, Unity Care NW experienced significant growth, expanding care 26% to 24,750 patients annually, strengthening services, and deepening its role as a trusted safety-net provider in Whatcom County. During her tenure, the organization significantly strengthened its financial position, achieving a 7% growth in net income, a 45% increase in annual revenue, and a 61% growth in fund balance and assets. Through disciplined financial management and strategic growth, Unity Care NW is now well positioned for long-term sustainability and continued investment in its mission — to increase the years of healthy life in the people and communities they serve.

Jodi also led major organizational modernization efforts, including the successful transition to Epic electronic medical record (EMR) software. This system upgrade significantly improved care coordination and information-sharing across providers in the region, supporting more integrated, patient-centered care.

Jodi volunteering in Unity Care’s vaccine clinic, personally administering vaccines alongside clinical staff.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jodi led Unity Care NW’s response while overseeing the rollout of a large-scale vaccination effort that served both patients and the broader community. To date, Unity Care NW has administered 17,860 COVID-19 vaccines, helping protect thousands of community members. As a registered nurse, Jodi also volunteered directly in Unity Care’s vaccine clinic, personally administering vaccines alongside clinical staff.

Jodi’s tenure also included the opening of The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center, a first-of-its-kind facility in Whatcom County providing essential health, hygiene, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness — an important milestone in Unity Care NW’s commitment to health equity.

In addition, Jodi guided the development and implementation of Unity Care NW’s current
strategic plan, which centers on three core priorities: Enhancing and Expanding Patient Services, Strengthening the Organization’s Business Model, and Maximizing Resources and Facilities to support long-term sustainability and growth.

“Being a part of Unity Care NW has been a true honor and the highlight of my career,” Joyce said. “I have never worked with such a strong group of values-driven, mission-oriented individuals so deeply committed to serving with compassion and excellence.”

The Unity Care NW Board of Directors has begun a thoughtful leadership transition process. The Board’s Executive Committee is forming a CEO Search Committee, supported by HR Director Danielle Crim and local HR consultant Kara Turner. The search is expected to take approximately four to six months.

Left to right: County Executive Satpal Sidhu, Representative Rick Larsen, Jodi Joyce, Senator Sharon Shewmake, Greg Winter and Rachel Lucy at The Way Station’s Groundbreaking Ceremony in 2023.

“While the Board will miss Jodi’s leadership,” Unity Care NW Board President, Jennifer Moldver said, “we fully support her decision to retire. Over the past six years, Jodi has guided Unity Care NW through a period of significant challenge and transformation, strengthening the organization and leaving it in a very strong financial position, well positioned for the future.”

While the search takes place, Joyce will remain fully engaged in her role, partnering closely with Unity Care NW’s leadership and staff to advance organizational priorities and ensure a smooth transition.

“Over this period of time, I look forward to partnering with our leaders and teams on our priorities, to ensure Unity Care NW is ‘ship shape’ as a new leader comes onboard,” Joyce shared.

“Unity Care’s future is bright, and I am incredibly grateful to have played a role in its latest chapter.”

With changes coming to Medicaid at the federal level, you might be wondering about qualifying for Apple Health or your Apple Health eligibility in 2026. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Unity Care NW is proud to be part of the largest primary care network in the country, serving everyone who seeks care regardless of ability to pay. While the Apple Health landscape in 2026 is still taking shape, at Unity Care NW, we are more committed than ever to helping our patients access care and support.

Apple Health, Washington state’s Medicaid program, remains a vital resource for individuals and families in Whatcom County. While Apple Health updates are sure to come for 2026, it will continue to offer comprehensive health coverage that helps local individuals and families access to our medical, dental, behavioral health, and preventive services so that they can live healthy, productive lives.

Apple Health Updates: What Will Not Change

No matter what Medicaid updates or changes to Apple Health are coming our way, the core principle of the program will remain the same: It will continue to offer a wide range of free or low-cost services for those who qualify for Apple Health. For 2026, these will include:

• Primary and preventive care
• Hospital and emergency services
• Mental health treatment
• Dental and vision care
• Prescription medications
• Maternity and postpartum care
• Transportation to medical appointments

Those who qualify for Apple Health plans pay no monthly premiums and have minimal out-of-pocket costs for covered services, making it an essential support for often underserved members of our community.

2026 Apple Health Income Limits and Eligibility

Apple Health eligibility is determined by household income, family size, and other factors, with limits that are updated annually. Income limits for 2026 will be updated in April. We do not know what income limits will be.

Currently, the approximate monthly Apple Health income limits were:

• 1 person: as much as $1,900 per month
• 2 people: as much as $2,600 per month
• 3 people: as much as $3,300 per month
• 4 people: as much as $4,000 per month

Are you pregnant or do you have children?  You can qualify at higher Apple Health income levels, and additional Apple Health programs exist for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

If you need help figuring out whether you qualify for Apple Health, we’re here for you. Unity Care NW’s enrollment specialists can explain the eligibility rules and help you with your application.

Maintaining Your Apple Health Eligibility and Coverage During Medicaid Changes

To keep your Apple Health active, you must renew your Apple Health each year. People  enrolled in Apple Health will be sent renewal reminders. Responding right away will help ensure your Apple Health eligibility and coverage will stay active without any gaps.

If you move, change your phone number, or have updates to your income, report these changes right away. Unity Care NW’s enrollment specialists are available to help with Apple Care updates, renewals, and any application questions. Contact us with questions or concerns about Apple Care qualifications and eligibility.

What About WA Cares? Is it Apple Health? Not Exactly

Beginning in 2026, those who qualify can access WA Cares, the nation’s first public long-term-care insurance program. WA Cares provides financial support for services such as home care or assisted living.

While separate from Apple Health, WA Cares complements existing benefits for Washington residents planning for future care needs, operating in tandem with Apple Health as another important step toward comprehensive access to  health coverage in Washington state.

Apple Health Eligibility is Access to Health Care

At Unity Care NW, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable, compassionate, and comprehensive health care. Our enrollment specialists help patients determine their Apple Health qualifications, renew coverage, and stay informed about Medicaid changes and Apple Health eligibility updates.

Unity Care NW patients can speak with an enrollment specialist by calling (360) 788-2669 or by requesting an appointment online.

If you or someone you know needs help finding food, visit the Whatcom Food & Meal Guide for up-to-date information on local food banks and meal programs in multiple languages:

👉 Whatcom Food & Meal Guide

🌟 Holiday Food & Meal Guide

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Anyone in a position to help, may consider making a financial donation to the Bellingham Food Bank or another food pantry in Whatcom County. Cash donations go further than donations of food because it helps Food Banks buy food in bulk at a significant discount and meet the most urgent community needs more efficiently. You can give to the largest food bank in Whatcom county at bellinghamfoodbank.org.

Whether through giving or by sharing these resources, together we can help make sure everyone in our community has enough to eat.

Take Care of Yourself: Get Checked for Colon Cancer

At Unity Care NW, we’re here to help you stay healthy for the long run. That means getting the right screenings at the right time. A colon cancer screening is one of the smartest steps you can take to protect your health.

Why it matters

Colon cancer often starts small and grows slowly but it can be stopped in its tracks if it’s caught early. Screening tests can find and remove small growths (polyps) before they turn into cancer. They can also detect cancer early, when treatment works best.

Most adults should start regular screening at age 45 and repeat it every 10 years if no problems are found. If you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting earlier or testing more often.

Think of this as a way to invest in your future — so you can keep showing up for the people and activities that matter most to you.

Get It Done Before the Year’s Over

Don’t put it off. Colon cancer screening might not sound fun, but it’s a quick, important step that could save your life.

Where to Schedule

NW Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center
3111 Woburn Street, Bellingham, WA 98226
📞 (360) 734-1420
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Gastroenterology at PeaceHealth Cordata Main Clinic
4545 Cordata Pkwy, Suite 1B, Bellingham, WA 98226
📞 (360) 752-5216
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Self-Care Bonus
If you have a Managed Care Plan, such as CHPW or Molina, check your plan’s website — you may be eligible for a gift card when you complete certain screenings.

We’re proud to share that our health center has earned a perfect score on our most recent HRSA Operational Site Visit (OSV) — an achievement that is both rigorous and highly unusual.

Along with this recognition, we received a Certification of Compliance 2024 Operational Site Visit badge, which we’ll be displaying on our website as a symbol of our commitment to quality, accountability, and excellence in care.

Operational Site Visits are conducted by HRSA, the federal agency that oversees the Health Center Program. For more than 60 years, this program has supported community health centers in delivering affordable, accessible, high-quality primary health care to individuals and families across the country.

In short, this means that an independent federal review confirmed that every part of our organization meets the highest standards for quality, accountability, and patient care — with no required corrections or follow-up actions.

What This Means for Our Patients

For the people we serve, this recognition is reassurance that:

• You’re receiving care in a health center that meets national standards for quality and safety
• Your care is delivered in a system designed to be accessible, fair, and patient-centered
• Your health center is well-managed, stable, and focused on continuous improvement

This review looked beyond exam rooms to the systems that support your care. This included how we manage resources, protect patient access, and ensure high-quality services across our organization.

What This Means for Our Community and Partners

For funders, partners, and community stakeholders, a perfect score signals strong stewardship and trustworthiness. It confirms that we:

• Use public resources responsibly
• Operate with transparency and integrity
• Are positioned to continue serving our community for years to come

As HRSA noted in its recognition:

“This achievement reflects a dedication to excellence, operational integrity, and continued service to your patients and community.”

A Shared Accomplishment

This milestone belongs to our staff, providers, board, and community. It reflects the care, professionalism, and commitment that show up every day in service of our mission — and it motivates us to keep raising the bar.

We’re honored by this recognition and grateful for the trust our patients and partners place in us.

 At Unity Care NW, we believe that taking care of yourself means staying up to date on important health screenings — and a mammogram is one of the most powerful steps you can take.

Why it matters
Most breast cancers are found early with regular screening. Detecting breast cancer early often means treatment is simpler and more effective. For people with breasts, mammograms are usually recommended starting at age 40 and continuing yearly or every two years depending on your risk factors. A mammogram isn’t just a medical task, it’s an act of self-care and self-respect.

This month, make your health a priority. Schedule your mammogram before the end of the year so you can check this important self-care item off your list.

Mammogram Locations & Scheduling

We partner with two trusted imaging centers that offer welcoming environments and convenient scheduling:

Where to Schedule

Whatcom County — Mount Baker Imaging (MBI)
📞Call (360) 647-2422 to make an appointment

• Bellingham – Northwest Avenue
  4029 Northwest Avenue, Suite 101, Bellingham, WA 98226
  Mon–Fri: 7 AM–5 PM

Skagit County — Women’s Imaging Center (WIC)
Schedule online

• Mt. Vernon – Skagit Imaging Pavilion
  1320 E. Division St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
  Mon–Fri: 7:15 AM–6 PM

Self-Care Bonus
If you have a Managed Care Plan, such as CHPW or Molina, check your plan’s website — you may be eligible for a gift card when you complete certain screenings.

Unity Care NW Earns Gold ACE Status Renewal

Unity Care NW is proud to share that we’ve once again been recognized with Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) status by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for 2026–2027. Gold is the highest level of recognition in the ACE program, which honors health centers that demonstrate an ongoing, organization-wide commitment to advocacy.

Unity Care NW is one of only four health centers in Washington to hold Gold ACE status. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff and leadership to ensuring that our patients — and all our community members — have access to affordable, high-quality health care.

NACHC notes that achieving Gold ACE status requires “hardworking, engaged staff and supportive leadership — two pieces of the puzzle necessary for a successful and robust advocacy program.”

How You Can Help

You can support our advocacy work by:

• Contacting your elected officials in support of policies that improve access to care.
• Donating to Unity Care NW.
• Signing up to receive advocacy updates.

Thank you for helping us advance health and opportunity for our community.