Good Shepherd Health Care System Hosts Legislative Breakfast Dec. 3

GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen

HERMISTON, OR – Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) hosted a Legislative Breakfast December 3, 2025. Attendees included Sen. Todd Nash, representing Oregon’s 29th Legislative District, and Director of Government Affairs for the Hospital Association of Oregon Travis Muewissen, as well as Rep. Greg Smith District 57, Smith’s Chief of Staff Calvin Bennett, Field Rep for Congressman Cliff Bentz 2nd District Sarah Theall, and Eastern Oregon Field Rep for Sen. Jeff Merkley Jessica Keys and Eastern Oregon Field Rep for Sen. Ron Wyden Andrew Cutler.

“The most important part of a legislative breakfast is getting to know one another and building working relationships with our legislators and legislative field representatives,” stated GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen.

Mathisen provided a brief overview of the health care system’s growth over the past year, highlighting expanded and new services vital to the health care needs of the communities we serve. He spoke to the strategic partnerships with the Hermiston Police Department to have officers on the hospital campus around the clock, and the addition of a Life Flight Network Air Medical Transport Base right on the Good Shepherd campus. Mathisen noted significant advancements such as GSHCS’s investment in six robotic surgery systems and ongoing infrastructure projects, which include expanding the on-campus childcare facility by adding 10,000 square feet and caring for 100 more children.

“We love being a rural community hospital, but we’re breaking the mold of rural healthcare by bringing in specialized care, such as neurology, pulmonology and adult & child psychiatry, to fulfill our mission of exceptional care close to home,” said Mathisen.

GSHCS Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Edwards

GSHCS Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Edwards discussed the hospital’s strong financial position while also pointing out the significant regulatory barriers to service expansion. “Being independent and growth-oriented gives us the ability to accelerate service expansion where and when our patients need us most. But every day we face heavy administrative burdens to providing care,” said Edwards. “The biggest hinderance to the speed of our expansion is State licensing and permitting.”

Muewissen agreed that bureaucratic obstacles can hinder care. “Oregon Legislature’s upcoming session aims to adopt a ‘do no harm’ approach to hospitals,” stated Muewissen. “What do we really need to focus on to care for patients? Laws implemented 30 years ago don’t necessarily apply today.”

Rep. Smith thanked GSHCS for the invitation and the service GSHCS provides to the community, adding that he’d be willing to work with Sen. Nash on navigating the bureaucracy in the future. “Please reach out, our goal is to serve you,” stated Rep. Smith.

Mathisen and Edwards led attendees on a tour of the GSHCS campus showing the Life Flight Network Air Medical Transport Base, Good Shepherd Medical Plaza renovation, and expansion of the Children’s Center.

“This is my first time here, it’s always nice to learn more about the district I serve,” said Sen. Nash. “This is a very progressive facility, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how they are moving forward and what they already have to keep patients local and benefit the community.”

The Oregon State Legislative Session begins February 2, 2026, and runs through March 9. Questions can be submitted to www.gshealth.org/contact and more information is available on the GSHCS website at www.gshealth.org.