WSHA honors hospitals, leader for demonstrating community health leadership

October 15, 2019

WSHA presents Community Health Leadership Award, Governance Excellence Award at Annual Meeting

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) honored Seattle Children’s and MultiCare Health System with Community Health Leadership Awards at its Annual Meeting Oct. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton. WSHA also honored Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics Trustee Scott Hilburn with the first-ever Ben Lindekugel Governance Excellence Award.

Seattle Children’s received the Community Health Leadership Award for its Zero Suicide Initiative, which universally screens patients 10 years or older who come into the emergency department. MultiCare Health System received the Community Health Leadership Award for its clinic at Oakland High School, which is the first school-based health clinic in Tacoma.

The Community Health Leadership Award is given annually to health care organizations that are serving their communities’ broader health needs in innovative and lasting ways. The recipients have demonstrated they are not only serving their patients but are making their entire communities healthier.

The Zero Suicide Initiative is a nationwide program that aims to reduce pediatric self-harm and death by suicide. All patients at Seattle Children’s are screened with a standard questionnaire. Those who are at risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors are connected with the appropriate resources and care. The program screens about 1,000 patients per month, of which about one-quarter exhibit thoughts or behaviors of self-harm. The program screens children as young as 10 to address the increasing number of youth attempting suicide. Watch WSHA’s video spotlight to learn more the Zero Suicide Initiative at Seattle Children’s.

The Oakland clinic was created in partnership between MultiCare Health System and Tacoma Public Schools, providing health care services to students and children who attend the onsite daycare. Oakland High School is an alternative high school, and 97 percent of the school’s roughly 200 students receive free or reduced lunch, and 21 percent chronically experience homelessness. Its graduation rate is 36 percent, far below the district’s overall graduation rate of 89 percent. The clinic has been instrumental in not only keeping students healthy, but also improving their academic outcomes. Watch MultiCare’s video spotlight at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=366819973937902 to learn more about the Oakland Clinic.

“The winners of this year’s Community Health Leadership award highlight the work hospitals are doing to ensure whole community health,” said Nancy Gorshe, outgoing chair of WSHA’s Hospital Governing Boards Committee. “Both of this year’s winning initiatives are focused on youth and I can’t think of a better investment than the health of the next generation.”

The Ben Lindekugel Governance Excellence Award was created this year to recognize a hospital board member or commissioner who has displayed exemplary leadership and community service. The award was named after the late Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts Executive Director Ben Lindekugel, who was especially dedicated to ensuring good governance among hospitals across Washington state. Lindekugel died unexpectedly in June.

Scott HilburnHilburn was presented the award for his 18 years of service in the community of Shelton. He also serves on WSHA’s Hospital Governing Boards Committee and has served in a leadership role with the American Hospital Association. In addition to his health care roles, he has served his community as the mayor of Shelton, chairman of the Mason County Inter-Governmental Council, president of the local Kiwanis chapter, and board member of the local chamber of commerce and local economic development council. Hilburn’s leadership also helped Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics partner with the Shelton School District to launch a health science academy in the high school.

“He has dedicated himself as a student of the health care industry to better understand the complexity, opportunities, and nuances related to quality and safety,” said Eric Moll, CEO of Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics. “He is exceptional at asking questions, listening and supporting the best interests of the patient.”

“Scott has been a tremendous commissioner who cares deeply about his community,” said Cassie Sauer, WSHA president and CEO. “Scott represents the very best in hospital governance: a passion for his community, commitment of his time and attention, and a dedication to finding solutions to challenging problems. We are excited to honor him with this award.”

Hilburn was presented the award for his 18 years of service in the community of Shelton. He also serves on WSHA’s Hospital Governing Boards Committee and has served in a leadership role with the American Hospital Association. In addition to his health care roles, he has served his community as the mayor of Shelton, chairman of the Mason County Inter-Governmental Council, president of the local Kiwanis chapter, and board member of the local chamber of commerce and local economic development council. Hilburn’s leadership also helped Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics partner with the Shelton School District to launch a health science academy in the high school.

“He has dedicated himself as a student of the health care industry to better understand the complexity, opportunities, and nuances related to quality and safety,” said Eric Moll, CEO of Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics. “He is exceptional at asking questions, listening and supporting the best interests of the patient.”

“Scott has been a tremendous commissioner who cares deeply about his community,” said Cassie Sauer, WSHA president and CEO. “Scott represents the very best in hospital governance: a passion for his community, commitment of his time and attention, and a dedication to finding solutions to challenging problems. We are excited to honor him with this award.”

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