Mason Health and Foundation Invest in the Future of Care
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Mason Health earns Emerald Award from Practice Greenhealth Page 3 Birth Center receives Excellence in Health Care Award Page 4
Mason Health y Foundation invierten en el futuro de la atención médica Página 10
Seventeen-year-old Maleighia Constantino still remembers the exact moment everything changed. After days of refreshing her inbox and anxiously waiting for news, Mason Health representatives, her parents and school administrators showed up to her classroom one day. She had just been awarded the full-ride Mason Health nursing scholarship for Shelton High School Health Sciences Academy students.
“I was shocked. I’d been checking my email nonstop since May 1,” Constantino said. “Seeing (Senior Director of Performance Excellence) Nicole Eddins and (RN Supervisor) Carol Williamson from Mason Health, along with my parents there, I got really flustered. It felt like a dream come true.”
That dream — of becoming a nurse specializing in Labor and Delivery — began when Constantino witnessed the birth of her youngest sister at age 11. Her mom delivered at Mason General Hospital’s Birth Center, and Constantino saw first-hand how involved the nurses were in her mother’s care.
“I just really wanted to be there for my mom,” she recalled. “Seeing how hands-on the nurses were during and after the birth, it was eye-opening. I realized I wanted to do that for others.”
Thanks to the Mason Health scholarship, that dream is now within reach. Covering tuition, books, and other academic expenses for both her prerequisites and nursing school, the scholarship not only supports Constantino’s academic journey, but also eases the financial burden on her family. Constantino is the eldest of five girls in her family.
“I would’ve had to take on thousands in student loans. It’s amazing to have this weight lifted off my mom so she can focus on herself and my sisters,” said Constantino, who also serves as public relations officer for the Associated Student Body at Shelton High School.
Mason Health’s commitment to education doesn’t stop with students. Through tuition reimbursement programs and scholarships offered by Mason Health Foundation’s Auxiliary and Centennial Guild chapters, Mason Health is also investing in its own workforce.
Morgan Elissalde, a technical laboratory assistant, is a shining example. Having worked at Mason Health since 2022, Elissalde has received the Auxiliary scholarship for $1,000 for three consecutive years and earned a $2,000 Centennial Guild scholarship as well.
“The Foundation scholarships helped me afford essentials like my stethoscope, computer, books,
and tuition,” she said. “Those are expensive, but necessary, and this made it possible.”
Originally trained in Oregon, Elissalde has leveraged her experience and Mason Health’s flexibility to build a unique path. With support from her manager, she helped create a program that will allow her to sit for the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) board exams through work experience — while simultaneously pursuing a Bachelor’s in Nursing through an accelerated program.
“I
can’t say enough good things about what this hospital has given me,” Elissalde said. “It’s allowed me to move from a lab assistant role to becoming an MLT and nurse, building a long-term plan to give back to the community that supported me.”
That sense of gratitude is echoed by Linda Cook, a medical assistant at Mason Health since 2015. Like Elissalde, Cook is also pursuing further education, working toward her licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN) degrees at Clover Park Technical College. She’s received the $1,000 Auxiliary scholarship and appreciates the flexibility Mason Health offers its employees.
“I work four 10-hour shifts, and they’ve been very accommodating with my school schedule,” Cook said. “After seeing what the RNs here do and how knowledgeable they are, I realized how much more I could do for our patients.”
Cook has spent nearly a decade in Primary Care and hopes to remain there as a registered nurse, continuing to grow in the field she now sees as a lifelong calling.
Certified Nursing Assistant Iris Hilburger will be pursuing an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, and will be completing her clinical rotations at Mason Health.
Hilburger started at Mason Health in November 2021 as the Volunteer Coordinator and received the Mason Health Foundation Auxiliary Scholarship in 2023 and 2024. She used the funds to help complete her nursing prerequisites.
“Mason Health has been extremely supportive in helping me fulfill my nursing school dreams,” she said.
“I’ve received valuable advice and feedback from the staff and administrators about nursing programs and have also seen the administration develop new and innovative programs to support new nurses. It’s a very accommodating environment,” said Hilburger.
T
he Birth Center at Mason General Hospital was recently recognized as a 5-Star Award Winner in inpatient OB/GYN services for scoring in the top 10 percent nationally in Overall Hospital Rating by PRC, a leader in the healthcare intelligence space.
“At Mason Health’s Birth Center, we believe that every family deserves compassionate care close to home,” said Hospital District Commissioner Lori Brady.
“Receiving a five-star Excellence in Health Care award and ranking in the top 10 percent nationally reflects the love, dedication and expertise our team pours into every birth experience. We are honored to support families through one of life’s most precious moments, right here in our local community.”
The Excellence in Healthcare Awards recognize organizations and individuals who achieve excellence throughout the year by improving patient experiences, healthcare employee engagement, and/or physician alignment and engagement based on surveys of patients.
“It is an honor to recognize Mason Health with this Excellence in Healthcare Award for the Birth Center’s deserving work,” said Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of PRC. “It takes true dedication and determination to achieve this level of excellence in healthcare and Mason Health has shown their commitment to making Mason General Hospital a better place to work, a better place to practice medicine, and a better place for patients to be treated.”
Mason Health’s Birth Center at Mason General Hospital had more than 1,400 visits in 2024, helping 354 babies come into the world. In the past year, the department has prioritized prenatal care through new programs like the Blue Band Initiative for preeclampsia awareness and TeamBirth, a collaborative process which bolstered the autonomy and decision-making ability of persons giving birth in Washington state. TeamBirth was launched in partnership with the Washington State Hospital Association.
Mason Health is undergoing a series of construction projects that began this spring and aligns with the District’s Campus Master Plan. These projects are approved by the District’s Board of Hospital Commissioners and will further Mason Health’s Mission of United Community, Empowered People and Exceptional Health.
Some Mason Health departments temporarily relocated in March, and community and patient-facing improvements started in April. The Mason General Hospital Bistro Cafeteria closed in April and is scheduled to reopen in late summer with an expanded layout, while Mason Clinic-Eye Care was expanded to add more exam rooms and space for additional providers (see page 5).
“As Mason Health expands to meet the needs of our patients and community, teams across the District are committed to the continuation of their great work with the provision of exceptional care during this transition,” said Darrin Moody, Hospital District Commissioner and Treasurer. “By the end of this construction period in spring 2026, Mason Health patients and our workforce teams will experience enhanced services, related to Eye Care and clinic-based services, and access a new state-of-the-art high-field open MRI. Other improvements, such as new flooring, will improve patient safety.”
“It is an incredible honor to receive this distinction among other Birth Centers across the nation, mostly because it means our patients feel heard and well cared for,” said Birth Center Director Kris Gaa. “We want all of our birthing families to know their safety and birth experiences are our top priorities. The nurses in the Birth Center are there because they love supporting families through one of the most intimate and meaningful periods in their lives.”
To learn more about the 2025 Excellence in Healthcare Awards, including eligibility and criteria, visit PRCExcellence.com.
Mason Health’s Ellinor and Pershing conference rooms at Mason General Hospital closed temporarily and relocated starting April 15, to accommodate construction for Mason Health’s new high-field open MRI. The new MRI replaces the current open MRI that is nearing end-of-life service. The Washington and Skokomish meeting rooms downstairs will remain open until late this year. The Ellinor and Pershing conference rooms will re-open at a new location downstairs in the hospital at the end of the year. The duration of the upstairs conference room closures is April 2025 to January 2026.
Patients and visitors may notice smaller construction projects and department relocations throughout the District later this year and into 2026. Follow us on social media and our website for the most current updates. Below are a few projects slated to occur:
• The lower level at Mason Clinic will expand with a new portal to accommodate additional exam rooms and clinic spaces.
• Mason Health will replace flooring to improve patient safety on the main level, starting this summer. Flooring on the basement level will be replaced this fall.
• Mason Health’s Diabetes and Dietitian offices, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging waiting room, will be relocated at the end of
the year to a new location to accommodate the new high-field open MRI.
For more information and for the most up-todate information please visit: www.masonhealth. com/about/construction.
For any questions or concerns regarding the construction projects, please contact Mason Health’s Marketing and Communications Office at marketing@masongeneral.com.
Mason Health is proud to announce the addition of Tyler Stewart, MA, LMFT, LMHC, to its Behavioral Health team at Mason ClinicPrimary Care. With a unique and diverse background, Stewart brings a wealth of experience and a deeply human-centered approach to therapy.
Stewart’s path to becoming a licensed therapist wasn’t a straight line, but every step along the way shaped the clinician he is today.
“I’ve had many different careers,” Stewart shared. “I’ve been an EMT, a carpenter, worked in a bank, and even with the state Legislature. But what always drew me in was working with people.”
That calling to connect and serve eventually led him to the field of behavioral health, where he’s worked across a wide range of roles and settings for more than a decade. Stewart earned his Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University in 2012, after completing a BA in Spanish and Political Science from Western Washington University in 2001.
His experience spans community health centers, academic programs, private practice, and healthcare consulting. He served for nearly seven years at Valley View Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and later joined the Behavioral Health faculty at a family medicine residency in the Bay Area. He has consulted with the University of Washington’s AIMS Center, which first connected him to Mason Health through collaborative coaching work with rural behavioral health teams in Washington.
“Working in integrated settings, especially rural and underserved areas, has always been close to my heart,” Stewart said. “I care deeply about equitable access to care and being part of organizations that serve people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”
Stewart’s therapy approach is grounded in relationship and connection. “I’m relationally oriented,” he said. “Therapy, to me, is about change —
personal change, but also about recognizing and addressing the impact of systemic barriers people face. I’ve worked with a wide variety of people, and my own background helps me understand where clients are coming from. I believe in people, and I like people.”
Stewart’s background also includes work with domestic violence shelters, sexual assault coalitions, and nearly a decade as a ski patroller and outdoor EMT. He had a private practice for six years, while continuing to provide training and coaching for behavioral health providers and healthcare teams.
He joined Mason Health in December 2024 and began to see patients in January 2025.
“I saw the position open and reached out to someone I knew on the team,” he said. “Knowing that Amber [Carlson, Mason Health’s Director of Behavioral Health] was leading the department and had the trust of the staff really mattered to me. Having a supportive supervisor and team makes a big difference.”
Stewart looks forward to serving patients in Mason County and beyond.
“There are many ways to contribute to your community,” he said. “For me, therapy is a powerful one — offering support, creating connection, and helping people move toward change.”
Behavioral Health appointments are made by referral from a Primary Care provider. To schedule an appointment with Mason Clinic-Primary Care, call 360-426-2653.
M
ason Health’s specialty care teams are growing. Look for a future issue of SCOPE magazine to learn more about providers who have joined or will be joining Mason Clinic this summer.
• Aditya Mehta, MD, will be joining Mason Clinic-Eye Care, seeing patients in July. Dr. Mehta graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2010 and completed an ophthalmology residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio in 2019.
• Jewel Park, MD, will be joining Mason Clinic-Pediatrics at the end of July, seeing patients in August. Dr. Park has completed pediatrics residency programs at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Los Angeles General Medical Center in 2023.
• Nikki Ann Medina, DO, will start at Mason Clinic-Women’s Health in August. Dr. Medina is completing a four-year OBGYN residency program at Trinity Health Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan.
• Meghan Olson, MD, joins Mason Clinic-Women’s Health in September. Dr. Olson graduated from the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University in 2021 and has been completing an OBGYN residency at East Tennessee State University. Welcome, new providers!
Invest in today, because tomorrow will be here before you know it.
by Jennifer Capps, Chief Development and Communication O cer
One of the easiest ways to provide an enduring gift of support to Mason Health Foundation is through your will. By including the Foundation and the Forever Fund in your estate plans, you can designate some of your assets to the Foundation after your lifetime. At that time, the asset(s) you specify can be allocated to us, and your estate may be able to take a charitable deduction for the amount of your bequest, possibly reducing income and estate taxes payable.
If you choose to include Mason Health Foundation in your will or other estate plan, we should be named as:
Mason Health Foundation
Post O ce Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584
Our tax identi cation number is 91-1529293
Mason Health Foundation would be pleased to work with you and/or your nancial or tax advisor to establish the planned gift(s) most appropriate for you to achieve your nancial planning goals.
Mason Health Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County by providing nancial support to Mason Health.
Please make a gif t to the Foundation
Mason Health Foundation would like to acknowledge former contributors. Listed below are supporters the Foundation would like to recognize for their past support of our mission and work in the community. Please join us in acknowledging their support of the Foundation during their lifetimes.
Anthony Paradise
Arthur Krause
Betty Bridgewater
Betty McLain
Doris H. Wilson
Douglas D. Dayton
Use
Fran Huberty
Jane H. Gruver
John Janson
John Stephens
Kim Davis
Loren Stobie
Marvin Voskuhl
Reda Buhl
Robert Sunder
Shirley A. Thompson
Tom Willis
William Schumacher
Please be advised that every e ort has been made to ensure the integrity of this listing. If we have inadvertently omitted any names, please accept our apologies and most sincere thanks for your generosity and continued support of Mason Health Foundation.
Mason Health Foundation generously receives donations in honor and/or memory of the individuals. If you would like to make a memorial donation, please use the remittance envelope included in SCOPE and mark Memorial Giving. You may also call the Foundation o ce at 360-427-3623 for assistance.
Peninsula Credit Union
In Memory of Lane Johnson, MD
Sheila Lewandowsky
In Memory of Russ Swarringim, Dalon Decicio, Veta Holtorf, Felix Lewandowsky
Sandra D. Swarringim
In Memory of Veta & John Holtorf, Dalon Decicio, Russ Swarringim, Felix Lewandowsky and Vicky Decicio
Mason Health Foundation is excited to welcome the public to our upcoming fundraisers!
• Saturday, Aug. 9, Bikers for Babies presented with the Warrior Angel Riders, a fundraiser for the Birth Center
Join us at McNamara’s Pub and Eatery in DuPont for the start of a poker ride – all motorcycle enthusiasts welcome! The cost is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger.
• Friday, Aug. 22, Business Luncheon & Dessert Auction at Little Creek Casino Resort
Bring your friends and co-workers down for a sweet afternoon raising money for Mason Health’s new high- eld open MRI, $65 per person or $540 for a table of eight.
Desserts to be auctioned o include a chocolate Oreo cheesecake, from Mason Health EVS Manager Trevor Madison, and a triple berry pie, donated by Director Brent Wilcox, OAC Services, Inc.! Local businesses like The CuppiecakesQueen will also be featured. Scan the QR code for tickets!
• And save the date for the Foundation’s annual Dinner Auction on Saturday, Nov. 15., at Little Creek Casino Resort. Tickets will be on sale soon!
Thank you, donors!
Mason Health Foundation celebrated its donors at its annual Donor Appreciation Event on Thursday, April 17, at Little Creek Casino Resort.
The Foundation is able to support quality health care in Mason County through the support of our benevolent donors. We appreciate their support!
THANK YOU TO PLATINUM LEVEL GOLF SPONSOR CDW HEALTHCARE!
THANK YOU GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS:
Abbott Construction
Capital Business Machines
Dynamic Collectors, Inc.
Electrocom Communications
Hood Canal Communications
Gift-In-Kind Sponsor
IMA Financial Group
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
Madsen Electric
OAC Services, Inc.
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates
Our Community Credit Union
Sazan Group
Squaxin Island Tribe
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSOR:
MR. JACK CHARNESKI
Awards Dinner Program and GIK Sponsor
2025 HOLE SPONSORS
AAA Septic
Castle & Coleman Logging
Edward Jones-Kamryn Morgan
Maple Glen Assisted Living
Mason Health
Olympia Sheet Metal
Robert W. Johnson, PLLC Salish Seafoods
Shelton Health and Rehabilitation Center
Shelton Skookum Rotary
Wittenberg, C.P.A.
SHELTON, WA – Winfried Danke, Chief Operating Officer at Mason Health in Shelton, has been selected for participation in the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program this year. Danke is one of 17 leaders from throughout the nation who are set to begin a year-long leadership development journey in the prestigious Baldrige Executive Fellows Program in April 2025.
The competitively selected fellows will gain oneon-one access to Baldrige Award recipients — nationally recognized, rolemodel organizations across all sectors of the U.S. economy.
Danke has extensive senior leadership experience in healthcare, including with rural health systems.
“I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious executive leadership program, and I am looking forward to applying advanced performance management concepts and techniques from the fellowship to help Mason Health achieve performance excellence,” Danke said.
“Becoming a Baldrige Fellow will make me a better leader.”
Mason Health, in partnership with Harmony Hill Retreat Center and with the financial support of the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, is hosting virtual cancer support groups. For more information, call 360-432-7706 or email patientnavigator@masongeneral.com.
Time: 4 to 6:30 p.m., second Wed. of the month
Location: ZOOM or conference call
Cost: Free
Who will make medical decisions for you when you no longer can? Make sure your health care choices are known.
Mason Health is hosting a series of advance directive workshops. At each workshop, we will discuss the importance and benefits of completing advance directives. The workshop and all forms are provided free. Bring your questions! Our presenter is knowledgeable and can direct you to more resources.
Visit www.masonhealth.com for a schedule of classes, starting in February, at Mason General Hospital.
For more information and to register, email Mason Health Volunteer Karen Wiley, BSN, at kwiley@masongeneral.com.
Time: 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12 & Oct. 14
Location: Washington Room - Mason General Hospital
Cost: Free
Check out www.masonhealth.com for more classes and workshops, including Cancer Wellness, Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group and First Aid/CPR classes!
SHELTON, WA – Mason Health Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two distinguished community members to its Board: Lyle Lewin, Executive Director of Shelton Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Carol Phipps, Office Manager at Salish Seafoods. Their leadership and dedication to the Mason County community will further the Foundation’s mission to support quality health care in Mason County.
Lyle Lewin brings a wealth of experience in business management and health care leadership to the Mason Health Foundation Board. A native of Grays Harbor County, Lewin joined Shelton Health & Rehabilitation Center as Executive Director in 2023, following years of experience as the executive director of skilled nursing facilities in California and Washington.
“I like the idea of giving back. It helps me invest in the community,” Lewin said about his decision to join the Mason Health Foundation Board.
As a strong advocate for patient care, he is eager to contribute his leadership skills to furthering the Foundation’s impact.
Carol Phipps, a lifelong Mason County resident, brings decades of experience in business operations and community engagement to the Foundation Board.
Born and raised in the area, Phipps transitioned to Salish Seafoods in the 1990s, where she has been a dedicated team member for nearly 20 years.
“I love my community and have enjoyed watching our hospital grow since I was a little girl,” Phipps shared.
Her enthusiasm for fundraising and community outreach made joining the Foundation Board a natural fit.
Mason Health Foundation is excited to welcome Lewin and Phipps to the Board, confident that their leadership, passion, and deep community ties will help strengthen health care initiatives in Mason County.
Mason Health is proud to announce Corinna Mounts as the new Clinic Manager overseeing Mason Clinic-Primary Care. Mounts started at Mason Health as a supervisor for indirect care in August 2024 and accepted the new position in December 2024.
Mounts has more than 15 years of experience working in various medical departments, including five years of management experience. She has her Bachelor’s of Science degree in healthcare administration. She lives in Belfair and enjoys spending time outdoors and with her seven grown children and five grandchildren.
“Corinna brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for excellent patient care,” said Mason Clinic Director of Clinic Operations Kelly North “We are confident that she will be an invaluable asset to our team and will help us continue to deliver the highest level of service to our patients.”
Mason Having access to life-saving accurate monitor readings can prevent birth complications for a new baby at Mason General Hospital. Fetal monitors are used to track a baby’s heart rate during pregnancy and labor, allowing health care providers to identify potential problems early on and help detect signs of fetal distress.
Mason Health is pleased to announce a donation of $63,300 from the Shelton Hospital Association for fetal monitors at the Mason General Hospital Birth Center. This gift is the latest in a series of generous donations from the Shelton Hospital Association for medical equipment at Mason Health, totaling $668,367.35 since 2015. These donations allow Mason Health to continue its Vision of Providing the Best Patient-Centered Care in the Pacific Northwest. The funds are generated through investments made by the late Arthur Govey, one of Shelton’s most prominent citizens in the early 1900s.
“Hopefully, this will inspire more people to give in their lives and consider making these investments for the future of their families and other Mason County families,” said Shelton Hospital Association President Brett Bishop, whose parents participated in the association years ago.
“I do this because I am living up to my parents’ values and morals. When I’m meeting with other association members at Nita’s of Shelton, I feel my father next to me.”
Since 2018, the Shelton Hospital Association has contributed in significant ways to Mason Health; the association has funded ventilators for patients needing respiratory therapy, ultrasound equipment for the Diagnostic Imaging Department, a biometer cataract refractive surgery machine and equipment for surgery and anesthesia. These gifts have had an invaluable impact on the lives of patients, helping them breathe easier, have safer medical procedures and detect medical concerns sooner.
“This type of intergenerational philanthropy is a beautiful thing,” said Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps.
“For the size of our community, this donation is very generous. It’s impressive to know that there are generations of families supporting the District. It’s legacy in action.”
Mason Health celebrated its volunteer workforce during Global Volunteer Month in April
Thank you to our volunteers at Mason Health and Mason Health Foundation for all that you do!
Maleighia Constantino, de diecisiete años, todavía recuerda el momento exacto en que todo cambió. Después de días de revisar su bandeja de entrada y esperar ansiosamente noticias, representantes de Mason Health, sus padres y administradores de la escuela llegaron un día a su salón de clases. Acababa de recibir la beca completa de enfermería de Mason Health para los estudiantes de la Academia de Ciencias de la Salud de Shelton High School.
“Había estado revisando mi correo electrónico sin parar desde el 1 de mayo” dijo Constantino. “Al ver a Nicole Eddins (directora sénior de Excelencia en el Desempeño) y a Carol Williamson (RN supervisor) de Mason Health, junto con mis padres allí, me puse muy nerviosa. Era como un sueño hecho realidad”.
Ese sueño —el de ser enfermera especializada en trabajo de parto— comenzó cuando Constantino presenció el nacimiento de su hermana menor a los 11 años. Su madre dio a luz en el Centro de Partos Mason General Hospital, y Constantino vio de primera mano lo implicadas que estaban las enfermeras en el cuidado de su madre.
“Solo quería estar allí para apoyar mi mamá”, recordó. “Ver todo lo que hacían las enfermeras durante y después del parto, me abrió los ojos. Me di cuenta de que era algo que quería hacer para otros”.
Ahora, gracias a la beca de Mason Health, ese sueño es posible. Cubriendo el pago por los estudios, los libros y otros gastos académicos tanto para los prerrequisitos como para la escuela de enfermería, la beca no solo apoya el camino académico de Constantino, sino que también alivia la carga económica de su familia. Constantino es la mayor de cinco niñas en su familia.
“Tendría que haber hecho préstamos estudiantiles por miles de dólares. Es increíble quitarle este peso a mi mamá para que pueda centrarse en ella y en mis hermanas”, dijo Constantino, quien también se desempeña como representante de relaciones públicas para el Cuerpo Estudiantil Asociado en Shelton High School.
El compromiso de Mason Health con la educación no termina con los estudiantes. Por medio de programas de reembolso del pago por los estudios y becas que ofrecen los capítulos Auxiliary y Centennial Guild de Mason Health Foundation, Mason Health también está invirtiendo en su propia fuerza laboral.
Morgan Elissalde, asistente de laboratorio técnico, es un ejemplo brillante. Habiendo trabajado en Mason Health desde 2022, Elissalde ha recibido la beca Auxiliary de $1,000 por tres años consecutivos y también obtuvo una beca Centennial Guild de $2,000.
“Las becas de la Fundación me ayudaron a pagar cosas esenciales como mi estetoscopio,
computadora, libros y estudios”, dijo. “Son cosas caras, pero necesarias, y esto lo hizo posible”.
Formada originalmente en Oregón, Elissalde ha aprovechado su experiencia y la flexibilidad de Mason Health para crear un camino único. Con el apoyo de su gerente, ayudó a crear un programa que le permitirá tomar los exámenes de la junta de Técnico de Laboratorio Médico (MLT) por medio de la experiencia laboral, al mismo tiempo que cursa una Licenciatura en Enfermería mediante un programa acelerado.
“No tengo palabras para describir lo bien que me ha tratado este hospital”, dijo Elissalde. “Me ha permitido pasar de ser asistente de laboratorio a ser MLT y enfermera, elaborando un plan de largo plazo para devolver a la comunidad que me ha apoyado”.
Ese sentimiento de gratitud lo comparte también Linda Cook, asistente médica en Mason Health desde 2015. Al igual que Elissalde, Cook también está recibiendo una educación superior, trabajando para obtener sus títulos de enfermera práctica autorizada (LPN) y enfermera registrada (RN) en Clover Park Technical College. Ha recibido la beca Auxiliary de $1,000 y agradece la flexibilidad que Mason Health les da a sus empleados.
“Trabajo cuatro turnos de 10 horas, y han sido muy flexibles con mi horario de estudios”, dijo Cook. “Después de ver lo que los RN hacen aquí y todo lo que saben, me di cuenta de cuánto más podría hacer por nuestros pacientes”.
Cook ha pasado casi una década en atención primaria y espera permanecer allí como enfermera registrada, creciendo aún más en el campo que ahora ve como una vocación de por vida.
Iris Hilburger, asistente de enfermería certificada, cursará una Licenciatura Acelerada en Ciencias de la Enfermería de University of Wisconsin y completará sus rotaciones clínicas en Mason Health.
Hilburger comenzó en Mason Health en noviembre de 2021 como coordinadora de voluntarios y recibió la beca de Mason Health Foundation Auxiliary en 2023 y 2024. Usó los fondos para ayudar a completar sus prerrequisitos de enfermería.
“Mason Health ha sido extremadamente solidarios ayudándome a cumplir mis sueños de la escuela de enfermería”, dijo. “He recibido valiosos consejos y comentarios del personal y los administradores sobre los programas de enfermería y también he visto a la administración desarrollar programas nuevos e innovadores para apoyar a los nuevos enfermeros. Es un ambiente muy flexible.”
Los cuatro empleados —Constantino, Elissalde, Cook y Hilburger— reflejan la dedicación de Mason Health para apoyar la salud y el bienestar del condado de Mason invirtiendo en las personas que cuidan a la comunidad.
“Es realmente especial que tengamos este tipo de apoyo tan cerca de casa”, dijo Constantino. “Es maravilloso que Mason Health apoye a su comunidad ayudando a los estudiantes a alcanzar sus sueños”.
Obtenga más información sobre las carreras en Mason Health visitando https://www. masonhealth.com/careers.
El Centro de Partos (Birth Center) de Mason General Hospital recibió recientemente el Premio 5 Estrellas en servicios de obstetricia y ginecología (OB/GYN) para pacientes hospitalizadas por estar dentro del 10 por ciento más alto a nivel nacional en la Calificación general de hospital de PRC, líder en inteligencia de atención médica.
“En el Centro de Maternidad de Mason Health, creemos que cada familia merece una atención compasiva cerca de casa”, afirmó Lori Brady, Comisionada del Distrito Hospitalario.
“Recibir un premio de cinco estrellas a la Excelencia en la Atención Médica y estar entre el 10 % superior a nivel nacional refleja el amor, la dedicación y la experiencia que nuestro equipo invierte en cada experiencia de parto. Nos honra apoyar a las familias en uno de los momentos más preciados de la vida, aquí mismo, en nuestra comunidad local”.
Los Premios a la excelencia en la atención médica son un reconocimiento a las organizaciones y personas individuales que logran la excelencia durante todo el año mejorando las experiencias de los pacientes, el compromiso de los empleados de atención médica o la alineación y el compromiso de los médicos, basándose en encuestas a los pacientes.
“Es un honor reconocer a Mason Health con este Premio a la excelencia en la atención médica por el merecido trabajo del Centro de Partos”, dijo Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., Presidente y CEO de PRC.
“Se necesita verdadera dedicación y determinación para lograr este nivel de excelencia en la atención médica y Mason Health ha mostrado su compromiso de hacer del Mason General Hospital un mejor lugar para trabajar, un mejor lugar para practicar la medicina y un mejor lugar para que los pacientes reciban tratamiento”.
Kris Gaa
El Centro de Partos de Mason Health en el Mason General Hospital tuvo más de 1,400 visitas en 2024, ayudando a 354 bebés a venir al mundo. El año pasado, el departamento priorizó
la atención prenatal mediante nuevos programas como la Blue Band Initiative para la concientización sobre la preeclampsia y TeamBirth, un proceso colaborativo que reforzó la autonomía y la capacidad de toma de decisiones de las personas que dan a luz en el estado de Washington. TeamBirth se lanzó en alianza con la Asociación de Hospitales del Estado de Washington (Washington State Hospital Association).
“Es un honor increíble recibir esta distinción entre otros centros de partos en todo el país, principalmente porque significa que nuestros pacientes se sienten escuchados y bien atendidos”, dijo Kris Gaa, directora del Centro de Partos. “Queremos que todas nuestras familias que dan a luz sepan que su seguridad y su experiencia de parto son nuestras principales prioridades. Los enfermeros del Centro de Partos están allí porque les encanta apoyar a las familias durante uno de los períodos más íntimos y significativos de su vida”.
Para obtener más información sobre los Premios a la excelencia en la atención médica de 2025, incluyendo los requisitos de elegibilidad y los criterios, visite PRCExcellence.com.
Los equipos de atención especializada de Mason Health están creciendo. Esté atento a un futuro número de la revista SCOPE para obtener más información sobre los proveedores que se han unido o se unirán a Mason Clinic este verano.
• Aditya Mehta, MD, se unirá a Cuidado de la Vista (Eye Care) de Mason Clinic y atenderá pacientes en julio. El Dr. Mehta se graduó de la Academia Militar de los EE. UU. en West Point en 2010 y completó una residencia en oftalmología en Brooke Army Medical Center en San Antonio en 2019.
• Jewel Park, MD, se unirá a Pediatría (Pediatrics) en Mason Clinic finales de julio y atenderá pacientes en agosto. La Dra. Park completó programas de residencia en pediatría en Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center y en Los Angeles General Medical Center en 2023.
• Nikki Ann Medina, DO, comenzará en Salud de la Mujer (Women’s Health) de Mason Clinic en agosto. La Dra. Medina está completando un programa de residencia de cuatro años en obstetricia y ginecología en Trinity Health Oakland en Pontiac, Michigan.
• Meghan Olson, MD, se une a Salud de la Mujer en Mason Clinic en septiembre. La Dra. Olson se graduó de la Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine de Washington State University en 2021 y ha estado completando una residencia en obstetricia y ginecología en East Tennessee State University. ¡Bienvenidos, nuevos proveedores!
901 Mountain View Drive
Shelton, WA 98584
Mission Statement
United Community, Empowered People, Exceptional Health Board of Hospital Commissioners: Don Welander, President; Darrin Moody, Secretary; and Lori Brady, Trustee.
Administration: Eric Moll, CEO
Published by: Mason Health. Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer Capps, Chief Development & Communication Officer. Writing & Editing: Arla Shephard Bull, Marketing Coordinator. Proofreader & Fact Checker: Sherie Ellington and Penny Nielsen. Designed by: BatFish Ink LLC. Printed by: The Shopper Business Office/Patient Accounts: 2505 Olympic Highway North, Suite #450, Shelton, WA 98584. Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 360-427-3601 (or 360-275-8614 from Allyn) or email hospitalbillingquestions@masongeneral.com for questions about your bill. A Spanish translator is available.
Mason Health: Located at: 901 Mountain View Drive, PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001 • 360-426-1611, from Allyn 360-275-8614, Toll free 855-880-3201, TTY/TDD 360-427-9593 • Serving the medical needs of Mason County since 1968 • Accredited by DNV-GL • Free Translation Services Provided/Se habla español • Equal Opportunity Provider • Public Hospital No.1 of Mason County, Washington, d.b.a Mason Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (consistent with the scope of sex discrimination described at 45 CFR § 92.101(a)(2)) or sex, including sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; and gender identity. Mason Health does not exclude people or treat them less favorably because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Visiting hours: Every day 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. All visitors should enter through the MGH Main Entrance, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours or Sunday visitors can use the Emergency Department entrance.
Mason Clinic hours: Mon–Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Mason Clinic Lab Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m. to noon • Mason Clinic Walk-In hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat/Sun: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
