I would like to represent you as Your Hospital Commissioner!

Control of Valley Medical Center was taken away from our elected Commissioners and given to appointed Trustees controlled by UW Medicine who can raise your property taxes!

The UW Medicine-Valley Medical Center Alliance devised by CEO Rich Roodman gave control of Valley to Trustees appointed by UW Medicine who are completely unaccountable to us voters! His yearly compensation ballooned to $1.6 million plus $1.7 million in additional "special" retirement benefits, which a 2009 State Auditor’s report found to be without explanation or public benefit, well beyond any competitive salary. In fact, it was more than CEO’s of UWMC and Harborview were earning combined!

I support asking legislators to return control of our hospital district to voters who support Valley with our tax dollars!

I have deep roots in this district for generations and attended Kent Schools. I'm married to Casey for 21 years; we have two children in Kent Schools. Our daughter was born at Valley and our doctors are Valley physicians. I'm active with Seattle Walk for Autism Speaks, in PTA and a CERT volunteer. I am the Only candidate in this race who has ever worked in the healthcare industry.

I served King County Council on King County Women’s Advisory Board and helped create recommendations for paid family leave policy for its public employees. I've served on our neighborhood association and as a PTA legislative advocate to support improved funding for students.

Valley is an important community asset and we need to assure it benefits our community which supports Valley with our tax dollars!

Our Commissioners should be responsible for ensuring Valley provides affordable, high-quality healthcare while remaining financially viable. I promise to support our patients and staff of Valley!

I'd be honored by your vote! Thank you!

Born in Rotterdam, Holland (Netherlands). Grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. Joined U.S. Army 1961-69. Returned from Vietnam 1968. Stationed Ft. Lewis 1968-69. Worked for Metro Transit / King County 1969-2004. I have lived in the great City of Renton, WA, since 1972. I volunteered at Valley Medical Hospital for approximately three years at the surgery information desk.

I am running for Commissioner as a citizen concerned about the drastic budget short fall and reduction in hospital staffing at Valley Medical Center and the impact this will have on our local community. I have supported the hospital over the past years by voting "yes" on every levy to improve and help the hospital to be the best for our community. As a past volunteer and longtime patient of Valley Medical doctors, I support the men and women who give their time to make the hospital and patient care a better and friendlier place. I am a strong proponent for maintaining local control of our hospital and will hold the current administration and CEO's feet to the fire regarding proper use of our tax dollars, including executive compensation and benefits. I will take my role as a community representative and advocate very seriously with patient safety and quality my number one priority.

If I am elected, I look forward to working with the current commissioners and management staff. It is time for an objective view point from a citizen who can bring a fresh perspective to the board, who has been associated with the hospital as a volunteer and a patient, for a long period of time.

I hope I can count on your vote.