A year after devastating wildfires, a Spokane VA Physician is grateful for co-workers’ support

One year ago this month in Eastern Washington, high winds sparked two separate wildfires that would eventually torch a combined 21,000 acres, incinerating 366 homes to ash and rubble, and leaving many families devastated and heart-broken.  Local authorities blamed the Gray Fire at Medical and Silver Lakes on faulty electrical wire/equipment on a utility pole. The Elk fire north of Spokane also wreaked havoc, destroying homes and in some cases, lives. 

The Gray wildfire broke out just after lunch on August 18, 2023 and Dr. Jeffrey Urness, an eye doctor at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC, was off duty and recalls leaving his house, headed to the dump with a truck and trailer full of more construction debris from their home remodel project.  They had purchased the concrete 1960’s era “block-style” home on Silver Lake back in 2013, knowing it would take a lot of sweat equity, time, and effort to become their “forever home.”  They knew it would be perfect for retirement because the home, on a 1/3 of an acre overlooked Silver Lake, and came with shoreline property they could spend countless hours hosting their Grandchildren, family, and friends. “As I was leaving home that day, I noticed a smoke plume to the west and called my wife to let her know the fire-planes would likely be coming soon to scoop water from the lake,” recalls Dr. Urness. 

Within minutes, his wife Connie called Jeff back, wanting him to come home right away because they may need to evacuate! “I turned around to head back home, only to get a call 30-seconds later to arrange a meeting location (after level-3 orders told her to get out now)!  That small smoke plume I noted earlier had exploded to a giant tower of dark smoke involving much of the West Plains skyline.” Dr. Urness and his wife had completed about 95% of the remodel and expansion of their home over the last 8-years. The house and everything in it burned to rubble and a shell of concrete blocks within minutes. The wind-whipped fire exploded into neighborhoods and rural homes with acreage.  

For Urness, he and Connie lost most everything, including family heirlooms. His Grandfather’s Navy Sea Chest with so many personal, irreplaceable items were now in ruins and ash: a Great, great Grandfather’s pottery mug, his Grandfather’s railroad pocket watches, pictures, programs and more.  The flames barely spared his old Dodge truck and a utility trailer.  But the old boat down at the shore wasn’t so lucky. Over the next two-months, Jeff and Connie found themselves having extended sleepovers with family members living in nearby Liberty Lake, some 20-miles from the Gray fire that engulfed and destroyed their home.  

They chose to stay close to their “medicine” – their grandkids and grown children to keep their spirits high, despite the devastating reality that, once again – they and many, many other families impacted by wildfires would be forced to start completely over. Still, Dr. Urness found himself putting others first.  In addition to serving Veterans at the eye clinic, he found himself setting aside his personal troubles and staying focused and engaged with others at work, even making time to make voluntary donations during quarterly blood drives at VA. 

“As a CHRIST follower, this post-fire journey is bringing lessons and blessings I hope to hang onto – and share forward,” explained Dr. Urness.  He finds purpose each day, improving the eyesight of the Veterans he cares for at Spokane’s Mann-Grandstaff VA medical center. He also teaches medical students with the newest technology, care modalities, and the fundamentals of providing exceptional eye care to Veterans.  Best of all, according to his support team of highly-skilled eye technicians, is Dr. Urness’ humble nature, “because he doesn’t treat us like ‘less-than’ because we are tech’s,” said Sean Hayes, an Army Veteran and eye technician who surprised his inspirational leader with a “gift of remembrance” that further confirms Dr. Urness’ faith and spiritual beliefs. 

As winter settled in and the snow began to fall and cover the charred ruins of so many homes and the families impacted from the 2023 wildfires near Spokane, Hayes and the rest of the team supporting Dr. Urness at the eye clinic just couldn’t believe how Dr. Urness was able to stay focused at work, persevering after all he had lost, and the long, uncertain road ahead for him and Connie… and their home. “The fact that after the fire Dr. Urness could only repeatedly tell us how he was blessed and glad his wife made it out and everyone was safe – was so deeply touching to us all,” Hayes explained.  “He just let it slip one time, his only lament was how he had lost his letterman’s jacket from his college football playing days at Portland State University in the late 1970’s.” 

And so, that small tid-bit is what stuck with Hayes.  Afterall, he, Dr. Urness, and the team had spent a great deal of time together over the years, kicking around sports talk like many coworkers often do.  “Last November, I started some digging and researching when he played at PSU, his jacket size, and what the jacket even looked like,” explained Hayes as he described his attempt to bring some light into Dr. Urness’ life. One by one, Hayes outreached to multiple people, including both the Portland State Alumni Association and the President’s office at the university.  He called anyone who would listen, simply hoping to get his hands on anything from the time period Urness played. 

Seven months after the fires, Hayes and the eye clinic team had gathered for a usual morning “huddle” in between patient care when Dr. Urness entered to greet his staff.  Instead, what he found was, Hayes and the team presenting Dr. Urness a, “once in a lifetime act of kindness toward me!” Hayes began to choke back the tears as he slowly opened the box to reveal a surprise even an eye doctor couldn’t see coming.  Hayes presented Dr. Jeffrey Urness a box that contained a brand new Portland State University letterman’s jacket – and the exact game programs offered during Urness’ PSU Vikings football playing days, some 45-years prior!  “Thank you Dr. Urness… for being you, an inspiration to these young student doctors, techs, your patients, and everyone,” smiled Hayes.  Dr. Urness was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, humbly checking his own tears as the two shared a hug with staff filming the surprise gift presentation. 

Of course Dr. Urness tried the jacket on – and then shared the programs with staff, so they could see what the young college student athlete looked like before most of them were even borne.  Witnessing the gift confirmed the genuine respect and friendship Dr. Urness shares and has earned from his team. “When one loses a brig part of one’s heritage, being remembered by those who you walk in life with is a gift that lifts the spirit, encourages the soul, and energizes the next step,” smiled Dr. Urness. Words don’t do justice to the feeling this act of remembrance and kindness have done for my heart.  Thank you to Sean, the PSU alumni, and my friends for this once-in-a-lifetime act of kindness toward me!” Dr. Urness and his wife Connie have begun the rebuilding project – again, like most who continue to work with insurance companies and appraisers trying to restore what was.  He and the team at Spokane VA’s eye clinic are helping everyone see clearly. 

One thing for sure, Dr. Urness is very clear about facing tragedy head-on. “I hope this outcome blesses many and show’s how Sean’s care and the team’s concern, are a model for how to minister to others going through such hardship.  To have a small piece of my heritage to savor and pass on… is a blessing in light of all that will never be recovered.” 

And so, much like the Varsity letter on his Portland State University football team jacket, Dr. Urness is openly wearing… and sharing his faith and purpose… for all to see.