Who We Are

As the Medical Center for Oregon’s South Coast, Bay Area Hospital offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The hospital’s inpatient and outpatient services include medical, surgical, pediatric, critical care, outpatient and acute inpatient psychiatric, oncology, obstetrical, and other specialties.

We recently built the Prefontaine Cardiovascular Center, and a Wound Care Center, offering hyperbaric therapy. In July of 2015, the hospital completed the Bay Area Cancer Center, making sure families throughout the region have access to cutting-edge cancer treatment and related services. We also administer the Kids’ HOPE Center, a one-stop service for abused children.

Physicians, nurses, and technologists are on duty 24-hours a day to meet the medical and emergency needs of South Coast residents and visitors. Our highly skilled staff is involved in a constant process of professional educational opportunities to keep abreast of the latest medical innovations.

Modern technology has made diagnosis and treatment easier. New and expanded medical services include laser treatments, MRI, CT, PET, mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, laparoscopy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, varicose vein treatment, advanced radiation therapy, and robotic-assisted surgery.

Bay Area Hospital is committed to quality health care. Proof of this commitment is our accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Mission, Vision, and Values

We improve the health of our community every day.

Bay Area Hospital will be the model for regional health care excellence.

Kindness: We honor and respect others with our words and actions.

Excellence: 
We are committed to superior service and quality care.

Teamwork:
 We drive success by our commitment to effectively work together.

Ownership:
 We take personal responsibility for all aspects of organizational success.

Innovation: We continually look for opportunities to improve our organization.

Doctors and Nurses

Executive Leadership

  • Brian Moore Bay Area Hospital

    Brian Moore
    President and CEO

    Brian Moore is the President and CEO of Bay Area Hospital. He was selected by the Bay Area Hospital Board of Directors after a nationwide search and assumed leadership of the hospital on January 2, 2019. He moved to the South Coast for the role and has more than 24 years of hospital leadership experience, most recently serving as CEO at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

    As a visionary leader, Brian has seen continued success in building healthcare organizations by driving innovation, excellence, and collaborative relationships. Throughout Brian’s dynamic career, he has positioned hospitals for growth and expansion, led organizations to improved hospital operations, and delivered strong, sustainable gains in performance and productivity. Revered as his proudest accomplishment, he played a leading role in starting two hospital campuses in a rapidly growing area of Denver, Colorado early in his career.

    The COVID pandemic stretched the US healthcare system to the breaking point. Through it all, our local network of care remained open for care. Brian says, “I'm honored to be leading a truly dedicated staff who consistently innovate and remain true to our mission of improving the health of our community every day.”

    Brian earned his MBA from the University of Central Florida after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Southern Adventist University. When not working, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast and broader region with his wife, Lindsay, and his two teenage daughters.


  • Jennifer Collins 720x1008 Web

    Jennifer Collins, MN-AL, RN
    Chief Nursing Officer

    Jennifer Collins brings over 21 years of healthcare experience to Bay Area Hospital. Jennifer has focused her career on nursing leadership with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and resilience in the workplace. She earned her Master’s of Nursing in Administrative Leadership from the University of Washington, Bothell. She mentored BSN students and helped design the Administrative Leadership option while at the university. Most recently she served as the Director of Critical Care and Cardiovascular Service Line in Silverdale, Washington. Jennifer has continually improved processes to benefit both patients and nurses. She is noted for her work in shortening patient wait times, improving patient recovery after surgery, and fostering growth and leadership skills in nursing teams.


  • Lee Saltzgaber 6399 Final

    Lee Saltzgaber, MD
    Chief Medical Officer

    Dr. Saltzgaber is an experienced Certified Physician Executive, Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a Certified Professional in both Healthcare Quality as well as Patient Safety. He has a passion for team building and a 25 plus-year history of success in leading physicians, healthcare professionals and support staff to improve the health and wellness of several communities and elevating morale across organizations.
    
    Dr. Saltzgaber earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon and his Doctor of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He has residencies in Family Medicine, Aerospace Medicine, and Preventive Medicine. He also earned degrees in Master of Public Health, University of Texas, and Master of Medical Management, Marshall School of Business (USC).


  • Kelli Dion

    Kelli Dion
    Chief Quality Officer

    Kelli Dion leads Bay Area Hospital’s Quality and Safety efforts which includes responsibility for Joint Commission Accreditation. She is an experienced health care professional with more than 20 years of patient care, Organizational Quality and Safety combined with management expertise. She has her Master’s Degree in Nursing and is a Certified Professional in both Patient Safety (CPPS) and Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).


  • Calvin Thomas

    Calvin Thomas
    Chief Operations Officer, interim

    Calvin has over 20+ years of healthcare executive experience, ranging from for-profit and safety net hospitals, large academic medical centers, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and higher education institutions. His history of success leading operations and teams have created efficient methods and improved staff development, financial controls, and regulatory compliance. He has a Master of Science in Healthcare Research & Leadership for Dartmouth College, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri.


  • Mary Lou Tate 720x1008 Web

    Mary Lou Tate
    Chief Financial Officer

    Mary Lou is a healthcare executive with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of both operations and finance. She has a proven track record of financial savings and enhanced revenue growth. Mary Lou values collaboration and solution-oriented thinking. She is known for implementing innovative solutions that are workable and that positively affect employees. Mary Lou has nearly 20 years of experience as a healthcare executive. She has been the CFO at both rural and urban healthcare facilities, most recently she was the CFO at Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyoming. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Gonzaga University and a Master of Science in Accounting from Boise State University. She holds several certifications including HFMA’s CHFP, CRCR, and CSAR. She also holds a Lean Sigma Black Belt from the ASQ organization for proven ability in process improvement methods.


Nearly Five Decades of Healing

Created and owned by local citizens, Bay Area Hospital has been the hub of South Coast healthcare for nearly five decades. It has endured and grown despite hard economic times, continually adding new technology and broadening its services.

The hospital remains strong through sound fiscal management, dedicated board members, professional employees, a highly qualified medical staff, caring volunteers, and the community’s continuing support. The hospital takes pride that no public taxes or bonds are required to support its $225 million operating budget.

A Slow Start

Local voters formed the Bay Area Health District in 1952, encompassing most of Coos County. But more than 20 years and two more elections would be needed before Bay Area Hospital opened its doors.

The health district’s Board of Directors voted in 1970 to build a new medical facility, replacing two older hospitals in North Bend and Coos Bay. Voters agreed, passing a $6.75 million bond levy.

Less than two years later, a group of citizens tried to stop the hospital construction. A special election was called for February 1972, and voters affirmed the construction plan. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April of that year.

An estimated 8,000 visitors attended the hospital’s dedication ceremony in 1974. The completed 140-bed hospital opened its doors on May 19, 1974, admitting its first 54 patients from Memorial and McAuley hospitals. That same month, 27 physicians opened local practices.

Mother seeing child for first time

Growth and Modernization

Demand for medical services quickly outgrew the initial facility. A series of expansions and improvements soon would begin:

  • 1980

    The first major expansion is a three-story north tower addition. The $4.8 million, 32-bed addition includes the laboratory, radiology, and loading dock.

  • 1987

    The original construction bonds are paid off 15 years early.

    • A $1.4 million general facelift begins.
    • Installation of the first mobile MRI on campus is completed.
  • 1988

    ICU expansion and remodeling is completed.

  • 1990

    The newly constructed Radiation Therapy Center begins treating cancer patients.

  • 1991

    Investment in new technologies includes an integrated computer system.

  • 1997

    A state-of-the-art CT scanner enhances medical imaging.

  • 1998

    The hospital begins offering mammography and stereotactic breast biopsy services.

    • A $1 million angiography suite opens.
  • 1999

    A newly remodeled psychiatric services facility opens.

    • New access roads are constructed.
    • The hospital’s first website is unveiled.
  • 2001

    A $20 million investment yields more than 40,000 square feet of additional space, along with remodeling of another 23,000 square feet, and $6 million in technology upgrades. The latter include a $1.5 million linear accelerator for radiation therapy. Other new facilities include emergency, admitting, magnetic resonance imaging, maternity services, surgical suites, short stay, and laundry.

    • The William M. Massey Memorial Garden is constructed, featuring a sculpture of three children playing in a fountain.
    • The Sleep Center opens.
  • 2002

    Major remodeling projects are completed, including the cafeteria, conference rooms, orthopedic unit, and the second phase of the laboratory.

  • 2005

    The hospital adds outpatient psychiatric services.

  • 2007

    New facilities are completed for Rehabilitation Services and equipment storage.

  • 2009

    South Coast Radiology joins the Bay Area Hospital family. In 2010 it becomes the Women’s Imaging Center. The new center, at 2650 N. 17th St., is the largest outpatient imaging center on the southern Oregon coast.

  • 2013

    An expansion ushers in the “Hospital of the Future.” The new four-story wing offers all private rooms. Other improvements include a new Intensive Care Unit, and cardiovascular services including a cardiac catheterization lab.

    • Acquisition of a surgical robot brings the hospital to the forefront of minimally invasive surgery.
    • The hospital assumes leadership of the Child Abuse Intervention Center, renaming it the Kids’ Hope Center.
  • 2014

    The fourth floor of the new wing, initially left vacant, is completed to provide additional patient care space.

    • The Prefontaine Cardiovascular Center is dedicated.
    • A newly constructed Wound Care Center begins offering hyperbaric therapy.
  • 2015

    Bay Area Cancer Center opens its doors, bringing medical oncology and radiation oncology together under one roof.

  • 2016

    Bay Area Hospital earns its fifth straight Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for quality and patient safety.

  • 2017

    The new Joint Replacement Destination Center opens its doors, catering specifically to knee and hip replacement patients.

  • 2018

    The Outpatient Psychiatric Services Center was acquired by Dr. Robert Gerber in November 2018. The Inpatient Acute Psychiatric Unit completed a significant remodeling project in December of 2018.

Green Building

Caring for our planet while we care for you

Saving energy is a priority at Bay Area Hospital, for both environmental and economic reasons. Our 2013 expansion included “green” building features, which reduced per-square-foot energy costs nearly 20 percent compared with our previously constructed facilities.

We’ve been able to extend some of those features beyond the new area, incorporating energy-saving features throughout the building. We even have plans for electric car-charging stations.

Electric lights are a large factor in any building’s energy footprint. Our new facility uses about 25 percent less electricity than the industry standard, thanks to automatic control systems and other features:

  • Lights in public areas automatically turn on and off on schedule.
  • Light levels in main patient corridors are reduced by 50 percent after hours.
  • Lights in many areas automatically turn off when rooms are vacant.
  • LEDs and high-efficiency fluorescent lighting save half the energy of standard compact fluorescents, and up to 90 percent compared with standard light bulbs. We’re installing LED lighting throughout the hospital.
  • Exterior lighting is designed to maximize light distribution with the fewest possible fixtures. Metal halide lamps further reduce energy use.

Electric motors in pumps, fans, and elevators are big energy users. Special features make motors in our new facility more efficient:

  • Variable frequency drives (VFDs) control motor speed and torque by varying the frequency and voltage of AC current. This can reduce a motor’s energy use by 30-50 percent.
  • “Soft start” controls reduce energy demand by bringing motors up to speed gradually. These devices are in use not only in the new area, but throughout the hospital.

Computers and servers are notorious energy hogs. “Green” features in our new facility reduce power use by these devices – and even recover the heat they generate:

  • Up-to-date processors and data storage devices deliver high performance with low energy use. And they automatically hibernate when they aren’t needed.
  • Energy-efficient workstations reduce power consumption to about 20 watts per machine – down from 300.
  • All computer servers generate heat. So a “heat recovery chiller” collects this otherwise wasted energy to help heat water. By piping chilled water through server towers, this feature is estimated to save more than $60,000 a year.

Digital controls can reduce energy use by 30 percent or more, by integrating various building systems. Also, a “power quality monitoring system” can spot energy anomalies that could reduce electrical efficiency.

Many mechanical features in the new section of Bay Area Hospital are designed to reduce energy consumption:

  • Fan systems react quickly to changes in air pressure and temperature.
  • Jumbo air ducts move high volumes at low speeds – saving energy by reducing resistance.
  • Two high-efficiency boilers, no bigger than old-style phone booths, provide radiant heat to warm the new area. Burning natural gas, these boilers typically run at 95 percent to 98 percent efficiency. (Older boilers commonly run at 75 percent to 79 percent.)
  • A dual-fuel backup boiler with a 15,000-gallon diesel reserve provides self-reliance in case our natural gas supply is disrupted.
  • Low-flow bathroom fixtures are 20 percent more efficient.

The new building is designed to take advantage of natural light, with sunny windows lining exterior rooms and corridors. In some areas, glass dividers invite sunlight into interior rooms as well.

  • Some windows at Bay Area Hospital look out over “green roofs.” Nearly 5,000 square feet of roof is covered in 4½ inches of soil and planted with sedum. These elevated gardens insulate the areas below, exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, and provide a pleasant view from the windows above.
Exterior of Building

Your Right to Know

Bay Area Hospital is committed to protecting your safety and giving you the highest possible quality of care. We are equally committed to transparency regarding our performance measurements on patient satisfaction, safety, and outcomes. We believe it is your right to know how we are working to improve the care we provide, and how we measure up against national quality benchmarks.

We participate in many programs aimed at tracking and improving the quality of hospital care, including the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Core Measures. We regularly review patient outcomes and patient satisfaction scores.

To see how Bay Area Hospital compares with other hospitals and with national standards, follow these links to these independent sites where quality measurement data are collected and analyzed:

Additional Resources

Photos & Videos