Confluence Health Head Gets Award from State Hospital Association

Confluence Health CEO Dr. Peter Rutherford is being honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Hospital Association.

The Association announced that Rutherforford would be getting its 2021 Joe Hopkins Memorial Award during its annual meeting Friday.

Rutherford is credited for bringing two competing Wenatchee area hospitals (Central Washington Hospital and Wenatchee Valley Medical Center) together to form Confluence Health, and for his work to provide health care in rural areas.

Rutherford announced earlier this year that he'll be retiring.

He chaired the Hospital Association's Board of Directors from 2019 to 2020.

HSHA says Rutherford is getting its highest honor.

“Dr. Rutherford is an exemplary executive who has touched the lives of so many of his neighbors in Central Washington and across the state,” WSHA President & CEO Cassie Sauer said. “This award is the association’s highest honor, and we are presenting it to him to commemorate his years of service. He takes the phrase ‘patient-centered care’ to heart and has a steadfast determination to helping patients live their healthiest lives.”