Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation

09/10/2025

CMH recently hosted U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on our campus in Astoria, with CEO Erik Thorsen joining a roundtable discussion with regional health care professionals to discuss the potential impacts of Medicaid cuts on local hospitals. You can read more about the discussion here: https://dailyastorian.com/2025/09/09/u-s-sen-merkley-hears-of-possible-closures-layoffs-at-roundtable/

09/09/2025

Today is the day major changes are happening on the CMH campus in Astoria. The West Lobby parking lot and 20th Street, between Exchange Street and Franklin Avenue, are now closed to make way for the construction of the new hospital.

Instead of entering the front doors off the West Lobby, patients need to park in the lots south of the hospital and enter through back doors leading to our Gift Shop Atrium. This will be the way to enter the hospital for the next two years, so please help us spread the word!

CMH is opening a new main entrance on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, that will be used for the next two years as construction work is completed for the BuildCMH Expansion Project.

09/05/2025

In honor of International Day of Charity today, add your name to the list of community members supporting an important addition to the Astoria landscape.

Honor a loved one, highlight your business or simply add your name to the expanded hospital's new labyrinth and park area by purchasing a personalized brick or paver.

More details: https://www.columbiamemorial.org/forms/buildcmh-together-buy-a-brick/

09/03/2025

This month, exciting changes are happening on the CMH campus in Astoria as the construction team begins working on the foundation for the BuildCMH Expansion Project.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 9, patients will be routed to a new main entrance and parking area at the back of the hospital. Don’t worry, signs will be available upon your arrival to help direct you where to go. https://www.columbiamemorial.org/news/releases/new-main-entrance-at-cmh-starting-sept-9/

“Thank you for your patience as we undergo this change,” says Erik Thorsen, CMH CEO.

09/01/2025

CareOregon is helping fill a need with a $2 million grant supporting the construction of Safer Rooms in the BuildCMH Expansion Project. CareOregon made the grant on behalf of its subsidiary, Columbia Pacific CCO.

Donations like theirs are making our expansion a reality, improving care for the community. Hear more about their gift, announced last year:

Safer Rooms will help improve care.

08/30/2025

This summer, we continue to make progress with significant improvements and updates on the underground infrastructure for the BuildCMH Expansion Project. It's exciting to see the progress unfold!

Find more information about the expansion project here: https://www.columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh/

08/28/2025

More than half a million dollars was raised at this year's Diamond Derby, held in May to support the BuildCMH Expansion Project.

Thank you to all who donated, placed bids and made this event a resounding success!

See how one unforgettable night boosted our campaign.

08/26/2025

Upon completion of the BuildCMH Expansion Project, it will include four floors — three floors providing patient care and one floor housing resiliency measures and mechanical technology. The helipad will also be relocated on the roof of the fourth floor. https://www.columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh/

Follow along to be the first to hear about the latest construction news, updates and more!

08/22/2025

Golfers participated in the first annual CMH Classic golf tournament last Friday. We appreciate the teams braving the rain, keeping the energy high, and helping us drive the BuildCMH Expansion Project forward. Together, participants raised $39,000 for the future of health care in our community!

Congrats to BuildCMH project director, Molly Wing, and team members, Greg Gentry, Shawn Aubrey and Sam Reid, on their win!

Thank you to the event's many sponsors and supporters, including headliner sponsors, Englund Marine and Avamere at Seaside, in addition to Stahancyk House, Center Pointe Design, Pacifick Distillers, Sundial Tours, Supple Rockers, Jason Bangild and Casey Poore of Gearhart Golf Links.

08/20/2025

The planned BuildCMH Expansion Project includes approximately 180,000 square feet of new construction, including a critically needed expansion of the CMH Emergency Department. Other expanded areas include additional operating rooms, lab draw, radiology services, dedicated caregiver respite areas, new dining facilities, and a new chapel.

Learn more about the BuildCMH project here: https://www.columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh/

08/15/2025

While the current hospital has saved many lives and served the community well, it is now nearly 50 years old, and the critical infrastructure needs major upgrades.

When the hospital was first constructed in 1977, health care was primarily delivered in an inpatient setting. This has since evolved, with roughly 90% of CMH’s care delivered on an outpatient basis. The BuildCMH project will reflect this evolution, including additional Emergency, Observation and Same Day Surgery rooms. https://www.columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh/

Follow along for the latest expansion news and updates!

08/15/2025

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust awarded CMH $400,000 for the BuildCMH capital campaign — one of the larger contributions given during its current grant cycle.

“We want to thank the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and their Board of Trustees for recognizing the value of this project,” says Mark Kujala, executive director of the CMH Foundation, “and continuing our strong partnership focused on bringing quality health care to the North Coast community.”

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust awarded CMH $400,000 for the BuildCMH capital campaign — one of the larger contributions given during its current grant cycle.