Town named new Samaritan Chief Executive Officer
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 2 weeks AGO
New Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Alex Town speaks at the Bourbon and Bowties fundraiser on April 24. Town took over as CEO May 22.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | May 27, 2026 5:05 PM
MOSES LAKE — Alex Town has been named as the new chief executive officer of Samaritan Healthcare, effective May 22. Town replaces Theresa Sullivan, who retired earlier this month.
Town was the chief administrative officer before becoming CEO. He has been working at Samaritan since 2017.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve this organization and community,” Town said in a Samaritan press release announcing the change. “Theresa’s leadership has helped build an extraordinary foundation for the future, and I’m excited to continue that momentum.”
Sullivan was named as CEO in 2015, and supervised the construction of a new hospital; Samaritan is working with the Washington State University medical school on a residency program in Moses Lake. Sullivan said in an earlier interview that she expects Samaritan to keep growing.
“Even though I’m leaving, there is so much for the future, for Samaritan, continued growth and being more and more of that regional healthcare provider. This community is continuing to grow, and we need to build on the services we provide and try to keep more care local,” Sullivan said.
Samaritan commissioners officially appointed Town as Sullivan’s successor in April. Commission chair Katherine Christian said commission members thought Town was a good choice.
“Alex has been an instrumental part of Samaritan’s success and future planning,” Christian said. “His leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to our mission make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead Samaritan into this next chapter.”
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Mattawa council considering annexation ordinance
MATTAWA — With discussions about development increasing, Mattawa City Council members will consider adding an annexation procedure to existing city regulations. Council members discussed the options at the regular meeting Nov. 5.
Othello School District patrons to vote on capital levy proposal in February
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will be asked to accept or reject a six-year capital levy request in a special election in February 2027. Othello School Board members voted 4-0 to submit the proposal to voters at the regular meeting Monday. Board chair Lindsy Prows was absent. If it's approved, property owners would pay an estimated 97 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of property worth $350,000 would pay $339.50 in taxes. Ballots would be due by Feb. 9. Because it's a levy proposal, it would require a bare majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.
Port of Quincy energy project update at Nov. 19 open house
QUINCY — Quincy-area residents are being invited to get an update on, and ask questions about, a project to build standalone energy generation, a joint venture between the Port of Quincy and Colusa Indian Energy. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Quincy Business and Events Center, 115 F St. SW.