Devoted to your care

You don’t have to leave Cowlitz County to find doctors and caregivers with advanced training and decades of experience. And they have deep roots in this community, like you.

Meet our caregivers

Serving Cowlitz County for more than 80 years

Our doctors and caregivers are your friends and neighbors. Since opening in 1943, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center has offered expert, compassionate care close to home. This includes:

Programs that meet the highest national standards for quality and safety.
Specialists in fields such as stroke, cancer, heart disease, breast health and joint replacement.
Investments in community programs and public health efforts to benefit all of Cowlitz County.
The resources of a large health system that supports high-quality care throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Facility renovations including an upgraded 8th floor with 20 private rooms and dedicated space for orthopedic care, group physical therapy and more.

Aerial photo of St. John's Hospital with Longview in the background

Doctors and caregivers who put you first

PeaceHealth care teams put you at the center. They listen to your concerns, adjust to your needs and help you understand what to expect, whether you see us for your annual mammogram, to repair a hernia or to manage a long-term condition like diabetes.

CR Kim, MD, smiles for the camera

“My father had a long, chronic illness. After going through that, I have always tried to be as compassionate as possible and look at care from the patient’s and family’s point of view. My aim is to relieve their concerns and fears — not just the physical distress but also the emotional factors that come with hearing they have cancer.”

— Choong Kim, MD, radiation oncologist and medical director, serving PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for 30 years

Kathy Witham, RN, surgical unit nurse, smiles for the camera

“My patients aren't just my patients; they're members of my community. I grew up here and I've taken care of my neighbors, friends, colleagues, teachers. A lot of times we see them at their lowest point. I love that as a nurse I can be a familiar face — somebody they can rely on and trust in a scary time.”

— Kathy Beebe Witham, RN, surgical unit nurse, serving PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for 22 years

Sarah Moore, RN, labor and delivery nurse, smiles for the camera

“PeaceHealth St. John has been here for a long time, and this hospital is a necessary part of the community. We have a lot of people who don't have transportation or childcare to get to appointments farther away. It’s important that they're able to stay local and get high-quality care. I used to work at a huge hospital in Florida. It’s so much better here because of the closeness and attention you can give to individual patients.”

— Sarah Moore, RN, labor and delivery nurse, serving PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for 23 years

Sheldon Conrad, LICSW, supervisor, medical social work program

“Everything we do here matters. My team often works with patients who have been disregarded or left out by the community. The level of commitment and advocacy they bring is through the roof. Every day I'm inspired by how they come up with ways to not only provide better services, but connect a person with the right community resources.”

— Sheldon Conrad, LICSW, supervisor, medical social work program; serving PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for 24 years

Nationally recognized for quality

PeaceHealth St. John’s track record means you can feel confident that you’ll get safe, high-quality care. You’ll find:

Hospital programs graded A for quality and safety, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Heart care and catheterization labs recognized for excellence by the Foundation for Healthcare Quality.
A stroke center that consistently earns recognition from the American Heart Association for following the latest scientific and treatment guidelines.
A breast care center that holds national certification for quality by the American College of Surgeons.
A large joint replacement program with nationally recognized orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists working together.
Caregivers with specialized skill and training, such as pharmacists with advanced certification in diabetes management.

Community commitment

PeaceHealth’s doctors and caregivers live and work in the same community as you. We care about making Cowlitz County a great place for everyone. That’s why we invest in not just caring for people when they’re sick, but also helping our community stay well.

In the last few years alone, we’ve invested $1.15 million in community health programs and partnerships — with plans for more to come.

Healthy meals

Food Farmacy sends patients in need home with three days of groceries and a connection to Meals on Wheels for 90 days. Community garden grants help people in low-income neighborhoods grow fresh food.

Wraparound support

Partnerships with agencies such as Youth and Family Link and Lower Columbia Community CAP provide food, housing, personal care items and social supports to thousands of community members.

Housing

$400,000 to support the Care 2 Home program for shelter, basic needs and case management for people lacking housing when they leave the hospital. Funding for Housing Opportunities of SW Washington, Lower Columbia CAP and Kelso Housing Authority to build 130 affordable apartments in Cowlitz County.

Addiction recovery

Partnership with Cowlitz Family Health Center to connect patients with treatment for substance use disorder after leaving the hospital. Support for Recovery Café, which provides housing and employment services for people in recovery.