MultiCare moves into South King County with acquisition of children’s clinic

Tacoma-based MultiCare Health System on Monday announced a network expansion into South King County when it comes to serving younger patients.

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network will take on Children’s Therapy at UW Medicine’s Valley Medical Center in Renton starting Sept. 25.

According to a statement from MultiCare, Mary Bridge Children’s will bring the center, 3600 Lind Ave. SW, into its network. It will continue offering pediatric speech, occupational and physical therapies for children at the standalone clinic.

Children’s Therapy at Valley has been in operation for more than 25 years.

“Our mission is to partner for healing and a healthy future for children. We’re honored that Valley is entrusting us with this opportunity,” said Jeff Poltawsky, president and market leader of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network in Monday’s news release.

According to MultiCare, “The clinic’s operations including patient care, equipment and space will be transferred to Mary Bridge Children’s with no lapse in care. Additionally, Children’s Therapy staff who desire to stay at the center will become part of the MultiCare/Mary Bridge Children’s team.”

Last year, Mary Bridge Children’s therapy services saw more than 9,000 children at its Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Olympia and Gig Harbor sites. The addition of the Renton clinic will add 1,900 patients, according to the release.

“Mary Bridge Children’s offers specialized care and wraparound support for pediatric patients and their families,” said Jeannine Erickson Grinnell, chief executive officer of UW Medicine Valley Medical Center in Monday’s release. “I believe this transition will be an excellent realignment into a robust pediatric system of care and I’m excited about what the future holds for staff and the patients served here.”