Dean Weidner, Gives EvergreenHealth Largest Gift In History

Dean Weidner, EvergreenHealth longtime philantropist

Dean Weidner was a patient at EvergreenHealth when CEO Ettore Palazzo stopped by his room. Weidner, a longtime philanthropist at the hospital, asked him a simple question: "What's the biggest challenge EvergreenHealth will face in the next 20 years?"

Palazzo’s response was: "Growing. Having the space to care for a community that's growing right alongside us."

That conversation led Weidner to give $100 million to EvergreenHealth, the largest gift in the community-owned hospital's history. The gift will fund a new Patient Tower, with construction beginning in 2027, expanding the hospital's capacity to serve the community for generations to come.

This morning, EvergreenHealth announced Weidner's gift. 

Dean and Ana Weidner were dedicated to the health and welfare of their community. Dean was a successful business leader in the multifamily housing industry. Ana devoted much of her life to philanthropy, with a particular passion for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. They have been actively involved in improving care and supporting key projects at EvergreenHealth since 2019. Ana Weidner passed away in 2024, and Dean Weidner passed away in early 2026. 

-- Press release, 9/28/2026

Bob Yoder, Founder of Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Bob Yoder / credit EvergreenHealth

Bob Yoder is a long-time resident, community advocate, and the founder of the hyper-local Redmond Neighborhood Blog. [1, 2, 3]

• Background: He has lived on Education Hill in Redmond, Washington, for over 40 years after moving from Arizona. Professionally, he worked in medical products sales and marketing. [1, 2]
Community Advocacy: He started the Redmond Neighborhood Blog in 2007 to track local environmental issues like industrial pollution in Evans Creek and to cover city council meetings, local events, and public affairs. [1, 2, 3]
Recognition: He received EvergreenHealth's 2024 Community Service Award for his leadership and advocacy regarding local mental health care and behavioral health awareness. [1] 

Source: AI,  9/26/2026

Update: WALK FOR EPILEPSY, October 3

Walk a mile in the park to advocate for epilespy care. Bring your friends!  Lexie, Pam, I and Zo are on the "Brooks the Brave" team.  Brooks is our 2-year old grandchild struggling with medication-resistent seizures requiring brain surgery and dedicated rehabilitation.  His parents are amazing, loving caregivers!

Sign up or get more info through the Seattle Walk for Epilepsy Event Page.

Schedule

9:30 AM | Arrive and get checked in or get registered and ready to walk! Explore our partner tents, enjoy light refreshments and participate in our family-friendly activities.
9:55 AM | Opening Remarks: Hear from community partners, celebrate our top fundraisers, learn about our mission and recognize our loved ones affected by epilepsy and seizures.
10 AM | Walk with your team! The Walk course is 1 mile long. Feel free to walk as many times as you would like! 
12 PM | Event Ends

Navigating to the Event

• Finding the Shelter: Shelter 1 is positioned right along the walking paths with a scenic backdrop of Lake Washington, making it easy to spot once you enter the central area of the park. Look for the purple banners and partner tents. [1, 2]
• The Walk Course: The 1-mile path utilizes the park's flat, paved former military access roads, twisting past the grassy lawn areas and returning right back to the main shelter staging zone. [1, 2]
• Parking: The closest free vehicle spaces are available in the central lots directly adjacent to the sports fields and the community center. Because this is a high-traffic area on Saturday mornings, arriving right at 9:30 AM is recommended to secure a spot nearby.
  [1, 2]

Questions?  Email Bob Yoder:  redmondblog@gmail.com

Dr. Ettore Palazzo, Our Exceptional Puget Sound Executive

The Future of Community Healthcare, by Dr. Palazzo (video)

EvergreenHealth CEO Dr. Ettore Palazzo (ai)

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EvergreenHealth is Dr. Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP. He also serves as the Superintendent of King County Public Hospital District No. 2.  Monroe Hospital [1, 2]

About Dr. Ettore Palazzo

Dr. Palazzo is a long-tenured physician and healthcare executive who transitioned from direct patient care to executive leadership within the EvergreenHealth system.

• Appointment as CEO: He took over as CEO on December 10, 2023, succeeding the retiring CEO, Jeff Tomlin. [1]
• Long Career at EvergreenHealth: Dr. Palazzo has been part of the EvergreenHealth medical staff for over two decades, having originally joined the hospital system in 2003 as an internal medicine hospitalist. [1, 2]
• Previous Leadership Roles: Before steping into the CEO role, he accumulated extensive administrative experience across several key leadership positions in the organization, including:
  • Chief Medical and Quality Officer (where he oversaw clinical quality, patient safety, risk management, and infection control during the pandemic)
  • Managing Physician of the Internal Medicine Hospitalist Service
  • Information Technology Medical Director of Inpatient Services
  • Quality Medical Director [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Education & Credentials: He earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine and holds a Fellowship from the American College of Physicians (FACP). [1, 2]
• Community & Board Involvement: Beyond his work at EvergreenHealth, he serves on the boards of the Washington State Hospital Association and the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a vocal advocate for community health initiatives, backing voter-approved property tax increases to expand local primary care, urgent care, and behavioral health infrastructure. [1]
  

Strategic Focus: As a leader, Dr. Palazzo frequently speaks on modernizing healthcare, including the integration of AI in healthcare, expanding services for seniors, and sustaining community-funded health programs. [1, 2]