October 12, 2023
After careful study of market conditions in the Yakima area, Kinwell has made the difficult decision to close its clinic at 2706 West Nob Hill Boulevard. The Yakima clinic opened in December of 2021, the first of 17 Kinwell locations, and has welcomed 400 patients to our elevated primary care. Our patients have rewarded the clinic with high praise and a remarkable 80% net promoter score.
Staffing the Yakima clinic with physicians, however, has proven difficult, reflecting the nationwide shortage of primary care clinicians. In 2017, well before the pandemic amplified the problem, the Yakima Herald reported on the lack of primary care doctors in the county and the difficulty of attracting physicians to rural areas. Since then, the situation has only become worse as the pandemic strained the talent pool of clinicians, with many leaving the field entirely.
Rather than maintain the Yakima clinic with partial clinician staffing, we’ve made the tough decision to close the location and consolidate its services at Kinwell’s Pasco clinic. Dr. Douglas Crawford, who has been practicing in Kinwell’s Yakima and Pasco clinics, will continue to see patients in Pasco. Dr. Crawford’s Yakima patients can continue to receive care in Pasco or online through Kinwell’s virtual care program. Clinic teammates in Yakima will transition to other roles within the Kinwell network.
The closure of Kinwell’s Yakima location will be finalized by late October. Kinwell will notify affected patients and address any questions or concerns. By realigning our resources, Kinwell can focus on growing the capacity of remaining clinics to provide excellent primary care to more Premera Blue Cross members across Washington.