Service. My parents exemplified it and passed the value down to me. Since my first job delivering newspapers in Federal Way for the Seattle Times, I have enjoyed serving others. On rainy days it was important to me that the papers I delivered did not get wet. “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing well,” my Dad would say. I learned early that “going the extra mile” pleases others and is its own reward.
In high school, college, and medical school, I both worked in service jobs and volunteered on a variety of committees. During my career, my most enjoyable and memorable experiences have been those working together with others to manage, change, improve or create a process or structure.
One of my most gratifying experiences was single-handedly managing an 18 month project for our neighborhood to put all the overhead wires on our street underground. This meant working with local government, contractors, and public utilities as well as negotiating a fair division of the cost amongst the various neighbors.
Now, with the encouragement of many “fans” of Evergreen Hospital, I have decided to serve on Evergreen’s Board of Commissioners. To do so, since Evergreen is a Public Hospital District, I am campaigning against one of the incumbent commissioners and will appear on the November ballot.
I look forward to continuing to serve in this new capacity and encourage others to find their own ways of giving back to their community.