Our Community is Growing, and Healthcare is Vital. Here are Issues I will Address:
We can be proud that our community-owned hospital, EvergreenHealth, is ranked among the Top 50 hospitals in the U.S., alongside institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Stanford Hospital. This success reflects the dedication of our exceptional staff and the strong support of a caring, engaged community.
But with rapid growth on the Eastside—both in population and diversity—we must plan wisely to maintain the high standard of care our community deserves. As your Board Commissioner, I’m focused on three key priorities to help EvergreenHealth continue to thrive:
Preventive care is essential to keeping people healthy and reducing long-term costs. But finding a primary care provider—and getting a timely appointment—has become increasingly difficult. Too many people are turning to urgent care or emergency rooms for routine health needs, which drives up costs across the system.
What I'm fighting for:
- Expand access to primary care across the Eastside
- Increase availability of same-day and next-day appointments
- Support programs that reduce the burden on emergency departments
Thanks in part to our levy contributions, EvergreenHealth now operates 12 primary care clinics, but more are needed. I’ll advocate for continued investment in these vital services.
2.Effective Use of Limited Resources
Over the last 50 years, EvergreenHealth Kirkland has grown from 76 acute care beds to 354 to meet the needs of our community, yet our hospital is often at or near full capacity. That puts pressure on staff, limits flexibility for emergencies, and challenges the system’s ability to grow.
What I'm fighting for:
- Expand outpatient care options to reduce inpatient load
- Support innovations that safely shorten hospital stays
- Invest in smart, scalable solutions to keep our care system resilient
We must use our resources effectively to keep up with Eastside’s growth while protecting patient care quality.
3. Expand Behavioral Health Services
The need for behavioral health services is rising, but many health systems have cut these programs because they aren’t profitable. As a community-owned hospital, EvergreenHealth has a responsibility to meet this critical need.
What I'm fighting for:
- Protect and grow behavioral health services at EvergreenHealth
- Partner with schools, senior centers, and nonprofits for community-based care
- Ensure our levy dollars continue to support those most in need
We cannot abandon our neighbors in crisis. I’ll work to ensure behavioral health is a core part of our care system.
Together, we can protect and strengthen EvergreenHealth for our future care—while ensuring it remains a compassionate, high-quality, and accessible resource for everyone in our community.