Stevens Hospital foundation returns

Published 9:00 pm Friday, November 24, 2006

EDMONDS – A hospital foundation shut down in 2003 during a budget crisis has been re-established at Stevens Hospital, with nine people named to its board.

The first meeting of the Stevens Foundation is set for Dec. 14.

“It’s very exciting for us,” said hospital spokeswoman Beth Engel. “People are already making requests.”

One of the foundation’s first goals will be improvements to the emergency room, including its check-in area. The goal is to provide better access and communication among staff and patients, Engel said.

In the past, the foundation had made donations to a range of hospital projects, including new equipment at the hospital’s breast-imaging center, improvements to its birthing center and books and toys for the children of patients who come to the emergency room.

Although nine people were initially named to four-year terms on the foundation board, the group could grow to as many as 25 to 30 people, Engel said.

Stevens, the largest taxpayer-supported hospital in Snohomish County, closed its foundation in 2003. Its assets of $778,099 were transferred to the hospital, one of several factors that reduced its net losses that year to $2.5 million.

Most of the money was used to buy new equipment for the hospital’s breast-imaging center, Engel said.

In April of 2005, Fred Langer, president of the elected five-member hospital board, called for re-establishing the foundation.

Foundation fundraisers, such as an annual golf tournament, provided a social outlet for the hospital and the community that “needs to come back,” he said at the time.

However, work on the foundation waited until the hospital strengthened its finances and chose a new chief executive this year. Michael Carter was named to head the hospital in June.

He is one of three foundation members who are current or former hospital officials.

The other two are Dr. John Todd, who retired earlier this year as the hospital’s chief executive, and Gary Wangsmo, the hospital’s chief financial officer.

Wangsmo has volunteered for a number of community organizations over the years, including the Morningside Sheltered Workshop, which assists people in the Puget Sound region with disabilities, and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Other board members are:

* Robert Fuller, who has lived in Edmonds since 1984 and is a financial adviser for A.G. Edwards &Sons Inc. He also served on the hospital’s former foundation. His community activities include serving on the board that manages the Lynnwood Convention Center and serving as past president of the Lynnwood Rotary.

* Dr. Arthur Castagno, a radiologist for Radia Medical Imaging Inc. He is a member of Radia’s governing board and a member of the Stevens Hospital medical staff.

* Dr. Ella Doo, a radiologist at Stevens Pavilion Breast Center.

* Jenni Harris, Stevens Hospital’s adult volunteer coordinator. She heads the hospital’s auxiliary and has managed the hospital’s gift shop.

* Dr. Timothy Roddy, president of the hospital’s medical staff and employed by Sound Urological Associates.

* William Vance, who retired as area manager for Qwest Communications after working there for 29 years. He’s previously served as chairman of Seafair and the Taste of Edmonds.

Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.