One of the most significant health care projects in Oregon this year will be dedicated on October 4, 2025 at 1 pm in the north coast community of Wheeler, Oregon. The new 16,000 square foot Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy replaces a small, aging clinic that has served the region since the early 1980’s. The 15 exam and procedure rooms will double the capacity of the current clinic.
The new Health Center will provide new services including dental care and x-ray and will have space to develop specialty service not now available in the community. The new facility is owned and was developed by the Nehalem Bay Health District and will be operated under a lease agreement by a
long established local non-profit, the Nehalem Bay Health Center. The new facility will continue to be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
The public is invited to attend dedication events beginning at 1:00 pm on October 4th at 855 Nehalem Blvd., the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and Hospital Road in Wheeler. The new Health Center will begin serving patients on October 8.
“We are describing this as a community celebration because without the incredible support and encouragement of our entire community we would simply not have been able to create a new, state-of-the-art Health Center built to serve our area for years to come,” said Marc C. Johnson, the Health
District president.
In May 2023 Health District voters by a nearly 70% vote supported a general obligation bond measure to help finance construction of the new Health Center. The District’s project was endorsed by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley who secured a $3 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and state legislators contributed $2 million more to the effort. The District also received strong support from Oregon foundations and many individuals.
The Health Center also features a beautifully sited community room overlooking Nehalem Bay – the Leila Newhouse Salmon Room – with a full kitchen enabling cooking classes.
The October 4 dedication will feature a number of special guests, refreshments and tours of the Health Center. The ribbon-cutting will start at 1 pm.
