In 1999, leaders from businesses and labor unions in Spokane approached Tom Fritz, CEO of Inland Northwest Health Services and St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, expressing their desire to find a sponsor for a potential pilot project benefiting workers, employers and health care providers. Mr. Fritz made a commitment to meet that community need by dedicating expertise and resources for the advancement of health-related best practices into our 'communities of healthcare'.

The Eastern Washington Center of Occupational Health & Education, known regionally as "COHE", is sponsored by St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute and currently administered as a pilot project by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, as appropriated by the Washington State Legislature. In addition to a local team of seven dedicated employees, the COHE is assisted and guided by dozens of community members from business, labor, health care and state government through regular meetings of advisory boards and committees -- from throughout Eastern Washington.

The "COHE Champions" are recognized in these pages.

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