EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners recently approved a resolution to expand the King County Public Hospital District No. 2 board from five to seven commissioners. The resolution requests that King County Elections place a proposition on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot to allow the registered voters in EvergreenHealth’s district to decide on the expansion.
As a public district health care system, EvergreenHealth is governed by a Board of Commissioners, each of whom is elected by the voters in the district to serve a six-year term. The Board provides governance and accountability for EvergreenHealth’s mission, vision and purpose, quality, service and overall effectiveness, through collaboration and counsel to the system’s CEO.
EvergreenHealth will be holding a series of workshops for District residents who have an interest in learning more about the role of commissioners and how to apply if interested in service as a commissioner.
The Prospective Commissioners Informational Workshops are scheduled for June 15 and July 27, 2016; with a make-up session to be scheduled shortly after the August election. The workshops are free and open to the public.
Attendees will learn more about EvergreenHealth, the responsibilities of a public district hospital commissioner and the requirements of serving on the board of EvergreenHealth. Participants will gain a broad perspective of EvergreenHealth’s service to the community and the role, commitment and requirements for serving as a Commissioner in support of the Mission and Vision of EvergreenHealth.
The workshops will be held at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Tan 250 from 5-7 p.m. on June 15 and July 27. Registration for the workshops is required by calling 425-899-2667.
Prospective Board Commissioners should meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a resident of the district as required by statute
- Be engaged in the community
- Have a track record of public and community service
- Understand and honor the role of governance
- Represent the diversity of the community
- Be willing to serve 20-25 hours/month
- Be willing to meet public disclosure requirements for elected office
- Have no unacceptable conflicts of interest
- Not employed by EvergreenHealth
- About the Proposed Board Expansion
Since formation in November 1967, EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners has been comprised of five members. In accordance with state regulation RCW 70.44.053 at any general or special election, a public hospital district board of commissioners may, pursuant to resolution, submit to the voters of such district a proposition to increase the number of commissioners up to seven.
As EvergreenHealth’s district continues to grow in size, diversity and complexity, the Board seeks to expand in order to broaden the viewpoint and representation in the community. Over the district’s 44-year history, the total population within its boundaries has grown from 22,000 to nearly 300,000 residents. Today, EvergreenHealth is one of the largest employers on the Eastside with gross revenues exceeding $1 billion and more than 4,000 employees, nearly 1,000 providers and 1,000 volunteers who care for nearly 600,000 people annually.
Increasing the number of commissioners is intended to provide oversight within the ever-increasing, complex health care environment, with added expertise and a broad mix of skills and leadership styles among commissioners.
The Board currently has five commissioners – one from each of the three sub-districts and two at-large positions. Current members of the Board of Commissioners include: Al DeYoung, board chair (Bothell/Woodinville/Duvall); Jeanette Greenfield, secretary (at-large); Rebecca Hirt (Kirkland/Kenmore); R. August Kempf (Redmond/Sammamish) and Charles Pilcher, M.D. (at-large).
To learn more about EvergreenHealth’s proposed Board expansion, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/board-expansion.
