Board of Commissioners

Skagit Regional Health’s Board of Commissioners

The 2020 Board of Commissioners includes, from left, Julie Blazek, President; Peter Browning; Jeff Miller; Gary Shand, Secretary; Frei Burton; Bruce Lisser and Dale Ragan.

Sincere kudos to our healthcare team

“We are here. We are ready.” You and infectious diseases and they may have seen these words used are showing their expertise and to describe Skagit Regional Health compassion every day. Our hospital in recent months as the COVID-19 teams have skillfully cared for pandemic progressed. These words COVID-positive patients over the past are so very true. As a Board of six months. Skagit Regional Health Commissioners, we are so proud of has been fortunate that our numbers the effort our staff and providers have of hospitalized patients have not made to put patients first and provide overwhelmed our system and we’ve outstanding care. been able to safely provide necessary

You can be confident in the safe, procedures and care to others. We quality care you will receive at Skagit have talented staff, equipment and Regional Health. Staff, providers, capacity to take care of the people of patients and visitors must wear masks our community – for all their needs, and are screened upon entry. Our from joint replacement to having a Environmental Services team keeps baby. all our facilities clean and we have a For those in our community who regimen of disinfecting surfaces in have lost loved ones, we offer our our hospitals and clinics throughout deepest condolences and empathy to every day. We have limited visitors, you and your family. We encourage which we know can be hard on a everyone to take the precautions patient and family members, however, necessary to halt the spread of the it’s the right thing to do to minimize virus: Wear a mask, wash your hands the number of people in our facilities. frequently, maintain social distancing

COVID-19 has presented and stay home when sick. By working challenges at every turn for our together, we can make a difference. healthcare team, our community and Our team at Skagit Regional beyond. We prepared well using our Health has truly risen to the occasion incident command system. We work and will continue to do so. As a hard to ensure appropriate Personal Board, we want to thank each Protective Equipment is available. We member of our team and express our follow all appropriate protocols and deep appreciation for your hard work. guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. We have a close partnership with Public Health officials, which has been critical during the pandemic. We are here. We are ready. Julie Blazek

You can be confident in knowing President, Public Hospital District No. 1 that our team is well versed in Skagit Regional Health Board of Commissioners caring for patients with respiratory jblazek@skagitregionalhealth.org New committee to focus on community health

The Board of Commissioners in August approved the launch of a Community Health Committee, dedicated to the health and wellness needs of the communities served by Skagit Regional Health. The panel, including Board and community members, will look at how Skagit Regional Health addresses services, equity and access to care, our partnerships with the community and look at population health metrics and other data to evaluate existing gaps and recommend improvements. If you are interested in serving on the Community Health Committee, contact Kari Ranten, Regional Director of Marketing and Communications, at kranten@skagitregionalhealth.org or 360-814-2370.