In an unexpected action taken in today’s executive session, the San Juan Hospital Board of Commissioners voted to offer Dr. Al Johnson the full-time physician’s position vacated by outgoing Dr. Greg Moran, who leaves for private practice to Dallas, Texas in July.

The commissioners took an additional step to expedite the contract offer to Seattle-area physician Rachel Bishop who, if hired, will live on Orcas Island and commute to San Juan for day-time only office hours at Inter Island Medical Clinic.

Bishop, by terms of her contract, will not be part of the on-call staffing requirement that the other staff physicians are required to perform.

Johnson will be part of that 24/7 on-call rotation and, according to Commissioner Robert Low, is familiar with the island. He is from the Seattle area and has some family already living here. According to Low, he has some emergency room experience.