I’ve been a nurse for 33 years. Additionally, my wife of 29 years and I have worked side by side as owner/operators of Adult Family Homes, Nursing Personnel Service and currently a brick-and-mortar retail store. I’m proud to be an active member of my union, Teamsters 117, through my job as a nurse at Monroe Correctional Complex. 

I am running because I believe bold new leadership is needed to take on the complex healthcare challenges our communities are facing. We must continue to protect a woman’s right to access reproductive healthcare. We must prioritize access to behavioral health resources and address the opioid epidemic that has become far too pervasive in our community. And we must ensure people know what treatment options are available to them right here in our community. 

As a nurse and union member I am proud to have the support of the healthcare workers at Valley Medical Center and their union, SEIU 1199. Far too often the expertise of those on the frontline providing our care is ignored in the decision-making process. I’ll bring my years of healthcare experience and the voice of healthcare workers into the Boardroom to ensure we never lose sight of the goal—providing quality healthcare to our community.

Endorsements: King County Democrats, MLK Labor, MLK Working Families Party, State Senator Karen Keiser, State Senator John Lovick, SeaTac Mayor Jake Simpson, Tukwila City Councilmember Kate Kruller, Auburn City Councilmember Larry Brown, Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, SEIU 925, SEIU 1199, Teamsters 117, IBEW 46, 11th LD Dems, 33rd LD Dems, 41st LD Dems, and many more unions, community leaders and healthcare professionals.

A Strategic Alliance Agreement with UW Medicine was enacted by vote of the Board of Commissioners. This agreement has failed to create the positive impacts for Valley Medical Center which were envisioned 12 years ago. It's a 15-year initial contract which is soon up for renewal, or with changes, or we can end the partnership.

It provides scant community benefits and doesn't offer additional revenues. In fact, they're actually competing against Valley just like others in the region! We'd rather invest in our facilities and our talented patient care professionals and providers to expand services to our patients!  

It's harder than ever to keep a provider, and even harder today to keep qualified patient caregivers such as nurses and assistants! There is a growing, culturally-diverse community in South King County who need specialized patient care more than ever, such as advanced cancer care which we've been building for on Valley's main campus, as well as the sense of community that Valley seeks to provide you and your family. We live in an increasingly competitive healthcare marketplace. The Board of Commissioners is committed to the future of healthcare access/equity in our Valley community, for our shared goals for improved health and inclusion of all whom we care!

I promise to continue this good work for the Valley community if re-elected. I appreciate you all. Staff members, I care about your wellbeing as you care for the community. 

With the Board of Commissioners and Board of Trustees, we hired a new CEO, and we filibustered the vote until we were allowed by UW Medicine to hire her. I'm proud to have taken on such challenges in leadership for this hospital and it's people! They have saved my own life--twice!

I respectfully ask for your votes, and I am proud to serve Valley!