Priscilla Lynn announces departure as President/CNO of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center

BAKER CITY – (Release from Saint Alphonsus) Priscilla Lynn, President/Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City has made the decision to transition out of her role effective May 6, 2022.  During her four-year tenure as President/CNO, she has had a number accomplishments. 

Under her leadership, SAMC – Baker City has achieved recognition as one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for five consecutive years (2017-2021).  She oversaw the major remodel of the Emergency Department, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services and The Café.  She also played a key role in upgrades to the radiology services and expanding bed capacity, not to mention leading the organization and community through two years of a global pandemic. 

“Priscilla has spent many years of dedicated service to Saint Alphonsus Health System, and it is with mixed emotions that we bid her farewell and wish Priscilla well in her new endeavors.  I’m pleased to announce that Dina Ellwanger, President of SAMC – Ontario, will add the President’s responsibilities in Baker City as we integrate our Oregon hospitals to provide growth and continuity to communities in eastern Oregon.  Dina knows Baker City well and will be a valuable leader as we continue meeting the healthcare needs for the community,” said Odette Bolano, President and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Health System.

Ellwanger, who has been President/CNO at SAMC – Ontario since August 2020, served as Chief Nursing Officer for the Baker City hospital from 2010-2014.

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City is a 25 bed Critical Access, Acute Care Hospital.  Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia as St. Elizabeth Hospital in 1897, it became part of the Saint Alphonsus Health System in 2010.

About Saint Alphonsus Health System

As a faith-based Catholic ministry and not-for-profit health system, Saint Alphonsus Health System reinvests in the communities we serve, through charity care and other benefits. Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of people by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, physician-led, innovative and community-based.  Saint Alphonsus Health System serves the people of southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada through these facilities: Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center – Boise, ID; Saint Alphonsus Regional Rehabilitation Hospital – Boise, ID, a joint venture with Encompass Health; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa, ID; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario, OR; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City, OR; and Saint Alphonsus Medical Group with primary and specialty care providers at over 70 clinic locations, all of which are members of the Saint Alphonsus Health Alliance, a network of over 2100 employed and independent providers.  Saint Alphonsus is a proud member of Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation.  Trinity Health serves people and communities in 22 states from coast to coast with 94 hospitals and 122 continuing care facilities, home health and hospice programs, and PACE center locations.  To find out more go to:  www.saintalphonsus.org