Community Advisor Q&A

Why did you want to become a Community Advisor?

Ferne Olschewsky   
Advisor for 2 years
I now have time to give back to the community with my volunteering.  I am also a regular Monday volunteer at the Evergreen Hospital information desk.

Laurel Macartney
Advisor for 6 months
I have had excellent treatment at Evergreen and I wanted to be able to provide feedback from the community.

Shirley Lam
Advisor for 3.5 years
Evergreen is an essential part of our community and I want to help shape health care services for the community.

Don Duncan
Advisor for 7 years
I had wonderful treatment there as a cancer patient and wanted to spread the good word; also my wife is a longtime (24 yrs.) Monday morning volunteer.

Christine Griffiths
Advisor for 4 years
When I completed my breast cancer treatment, I found that I had a better understanding of Evergreen and I wanted to share that information with my community.  Essentially, I wanted to give back to the hospital and doctors that saved my life.

Chuck Brockway
Advisor for 7 years
It's just another way to give back to the community that has provided me and my family with so much. 

What would you say is the most important role of a Community Advisor?

Ferne Olschewsky   
I think the most important role is listening. Volunteering at the information desk, I hear lots of compliments and a few complaints.

Carla Rutz
Advisor for 2.5 years
Communication. I provide a lot of information to my community and I also learn a lot at the meetings.

Shirley Lam
Being the eyes and ears for Evergreen in the community. I hear feedback from the community as to its health and medical concerns, and I relate these concerns to Evergreen to better shape health care services for the community.

Don Duncan
Letting others know what a wonderful hospital exists in their own backyard.

Christine Griffiths
I love serving on the different committees and task forces, such as the committee that helped with the design of the Evergreen Neuroscience Institute facility.

Milton Curtis, MD
Advisor for 6 months
Providing input to Evergreen on the needs of citizens in our geographic sub area of the total hospital district.

Chuck Brockway
Being the eyes and ears of the community so that the administration at Evergreen can know what is going on...and keeping the community apprised of all that is going on at Evergreen.

Don Bartleson
Advisor for 7 years
Being an advocate for the hospital as well as getting answers to questions from my friends and family.

What is the most interesting experience you've had as a Community Advisor?

Tim McLaughlin
Advisor for 3.5 years
Serving on the recent CEO search committee made me realize the breadth and enormity of the skills and experiences required to successfully operate Evergreen Hospital.

Carla Rutz
Working with hospital committee to design the new patient holding area. I was amazed at how the committee welcomed and listened to the community advisors. I also helped bring Evergreen educational events out to the Trilogy community, where I live.

Nancy Remak
Advisor for 21 years
My husband and I love volunteering at the annual Concours d'Elegance car show in Kirkland. It is such an impressive event and a great fundraiser for Evergreen.  

Don Duncan
I've had many interesting experiences. Representing Evergreen at a Kirkland City Council meeting when Evergreen was requesting a height variance for its new patient facility; passing out Evergreen balloons at Kirkland Days; learning how food services managed to serve such high-quality meals.

Gurleen Gulati
Advisor for 5 months
I've learned that Evergreen cares for its community and it is open to feedback - both positive and negative. That helps any organization/individual grow.

Christine Griffiths
I would say the most impactful experience was serving on the neuroscience task force. I had the opportunity to meet individuals struggling with chronic disease and hear their stories. It was rewarding to be a part of the group that helped them get the best medical care possible at Evergreen.

Chuck Brockway
Being a part of the strategic planning process was a very valuable experience, as it put me in touch with areas of the hospital that I knew little about.
 
Most recently, being part of the search process for the new CEO taught me a great deal about what it takes to make and keep a hospital relevant.

Don Bartleson
I've had a chance to represent Evergreen at different events, such as the Kirkland Arts Festival and the Evergreen Disaster Preparedness Fair. 

How do you communicate what you learn at the educationals to friends and neighbors? 

Ferne Olschewsky   
I talk to friends and neighbors about the great things that go on at Evergreen. I'm always telling people Evergreen should always be the first choice because of the excellent care.

Nancy Remak
I am constantly talking about Evergreen to friends.  Health topics always seem to come up.  I always want to find out if people I know had good experiences and if they want me to pass on feedback.  I will bring up issues at our monthly meetings, and I'm impressed that the commissioners and staff always welcome this feedback and follow up when necessary. 

Laurel Macartney
I share information Informally to friends and family. I also share at meetings where community members are present.

Shirley Lam
Since I am a realtor, I always mention to my clients that Evergreen is an important healthcare partner in our community,

Don Duncan
I share with neighbors, church friends, fellow members of retiree organizations, people I used to work with.

Robin Akkerman
I post information about the hospital in our employee lounge at Willows Lodge and I offer information about pertinent issues at our weekly manager's meeting.

Christine Griffiths
The beauty of sharing about Evergreen is that is comes up in everyday conversation. From sharing with friends about doctors, about my experience as a patient etc -- it just happens!

Chuck Brockway
I contribute information to our neighborhood newsletter, and also have  discussions with customers and fellow employees in addition to Rotary, Chamber and other community events.

Don Bartleson
Family and friends know I'm an advisor, so they will bring me questions.