Bigelow named as interim chief at WMC

Barbara Bigelow has been named as the interim administrator at Wrangell Medical Center after the departure of PeaceHealth’s original interim administrator Kendall Sawa, who announced on Oct. 10 his desire to make a move to Washington State.

Bigelow, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., has lived in Alaska since 1979, and joined PeaceHealth in 1993.

According to her biography on the PeaceHealth website, she has more than 30 years in healthcare management and brings a strong background in information management, risk management and compliance/privacy issues.

She is also experienced in State and Federal survey guidelines and regulations, as well as all aspects of hospital and nursing home administration. 

Bigelow has served as a member of the PeaceHealth’s regional executive team since 2008 and was named a Regional Vice President in 2010 and is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Alaska.

She holds a Masters degree in Organizational Business Management from the University of LaVerne and an undergraduate degree in Health Information from Stephens College.

Arriving in Wrangell last week, Bigelow said she intends to move the hospital forward while the search for a permanent administrator continues.

“My vision for Wrangell Medical Center is to be here on the ground with the teams and to continue working through the issues here and help to rebuild the hospital,” she said. “It’s hard for a hospital to go for so long without someone at the helm.”

Bigelow added that she is encouraged at the prospects for WMC after meeting with medical staff at the facility.

“I’ve found a great team of people here who are really willing to do the right thing,” she added.

The terms of Sawa’s letter of engagement between PeaceHealth and the borough, including the compensation package, will remain in place for Bigelow.

Bigelow will be making her home in Wrangell for at least the next month, but will travel back and forth to Ketchikan when necessary.