One life that improved many

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Last week’s passing of Dr. William J. "Bill" MacDonald, cardiologist and president of The Everett Clinic, was a loss from which this area’s health-care industry won’t easily recover.

MacDonald’s was a lucid and learned voice on policy issues. His energy, intelligence and compassion drove many important initiatives at The Everett Clinic that can become models for patient safety and access.

A grateful community will pay its respects to MacDonald at 1 p.m. today at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Everett, mourning the loss of a tremendous leader who, at age 59, was taken away much too soon. It’s a community that was, and will continue to be, enriched by him.