-- Ettore Palazzo, CEO EvergreenHealth
One of EvergreenHealth’s core values is to provide high-quality health care while minimizing our environmental impact. The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes our ongoing dedication to improving our environmental performance and our efforts to integrate sustainability and resiliency into the operations and culture of our organization.
-- David Reed, EvergreenHealth Environmental Services Team
The current levy for EvergreenHealth’s public hospital district is $0.14 per $1,000 of estimated home value, based on 2023 data. This is the first time EvergreenHealth has requested a levy lid lift in its more than 50-year history.
When the levy was first passed in 1970, it was set at $0.75 per $1,000. Over time, as property values increased, the levy rate was reduced in accordance with district regulations. Proposition 1 proposes to increase the levy $0.36, bringing the total, if passed, to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed home value. [$500 tax on a $1,000,000 home.]
If passed, levy funding will help EvergreenHealth expand services and infrastructure, which means more access for more people. Those expanded services will also attract and retain providers and staff, increasing access and expanding key service lines to meet the community’s need, including:
EvergreenHealth will continue to use levy funding to help support free and low-cost community education classes, programs, and events on a wide variety of everyday and specialized health and wellness topics, developed by experts and available to everyone in our community.
-- Commissioner Virgil Snyder
Chair, EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners
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| EvergreenHealth, Kirkland Your Community - Owned Hospital |
LEVY FUNDED PROGRAMS:
The Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT) is probably EvergreenHealth's flagship levy-funded community service:
"Since then, we've continued to expand and improve access to care, implementing what we learned as an organization and as an industry during the COVID-19 pandemic—which will undoubtedly benefit us in meeting the needs of our growing community," said EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, who was the hospital system's chief medical and quality officer at the outset of the pandemic.
EvergreenHealth's experience as one of the first hospitals to navigate the pandemic was featured extensively by media, including coverage in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, 60 Minutes, PBS Frontline, CNN, NPR and dozens of other publications and outlets.
-- EvergreenHealth.com
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| Our Community-Owned Hospital |
Kirkland, Wash. – This August, voters in King County Public Hospital District #2 will be asked to consider Proposition 1, EvergreenHealth’s first-ever Levy Lid Lift request since the hospital opened in 1972. If approved, the measure would support enhanced access to care, expand services and help the public hospital district prepare for the future health care needs of its growing Eastside community.
Currently, district residents pay $0.14 per $1,000 of assessed home value toward the EvergreenHealth levy. If approved, the Levy Lid Lift would add $0.36, bringing the total to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. That translates into ~ $500 on a $1,000,000 home.
“As the Eastside grows, so do the health care needs of our community,” said Ettore Palazzo, MD, Chief Executive Officer. “Proposition 1 would allow EvergreenHealth to invest in primary, urgent and specialty care, advanced diagnostics and outpatient behavioral health—ensuring more people have timely access to the care they need, closer to home.”
Why now?
EvergreenHealth has never asked to increase its levy funding—until now. When EvergreenHealth opened in 1972, it had 76 beds and served 22,000 residents. Today, it serves a population of more than 330,000 and has grown into a comprehensive health system offering nearly 400 beds, two Emergency Departments, eight Urgent Cares, 12 Primary Care practices, over 40 Specialty Care practices, Home Health and Hospice services, and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
What Would the Levy Lid Lift Fund?
If approved, Proposition 1 would:
“These investments are about ensuring that our hospital district can continue to meet the needs of our growing community—not just today, but well into the future,” said Chris Bredeson, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer.
Learn More
To learn more about the proposed levy lid lift, explore frequently asked questions, and access educational resources, visit: www.evergreenhealth.com.
Election Day is August 5. Register to vote by July 27.
About EvergreenHealth
EvergreenHealth is a community-owned hospital system serving more than one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has evolved beyond the hospital into a network of primary care practices, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, extensive home care and hospice services and 24/7 emergency care in Kirkland, Monroe and Redmond. As a public hospital district, EvergreenHealth actively provides equal access to high-quality, high-value care, partnering with local organizations to perform outreach and offer health education to address our community’s needs. The hospital system is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best™ Hospitals in clinical excellence and holds a 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com.
Earth Day has been celebrated April 22 every year since 1970
"This year's Earth Day theme at EvergreenHealth is Our Power, Our Planet. We're encouraged to take action, protect and preserve our planet. Here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, our own efforts – in concert with others around the world – will help protect our shared island home.
One of the purposes of Earth Day is to celebrate our natural environment, so let me share some of my personal story.
Kirkland is becoming the focal point for mental health care on the Eastside. EvergreenHealth announced in their Fall "Monitor" newsletter they have expanded Behavioral Health into their new Canyon Park Urgent Care.
Thank you for listening to me and helping me to get connected to a psychiatrist. I feel like I have finally found what works for me, and it has changed my life.
According to EvergreenHealth, "the initiative at Canyon Park is just a first step." They look forward to expanding behavioral health services to the broader community. "Behavioral health is an essential line of service that levy funds are helping to expand into the community."
The Emergency Departments of EvergreenHealth have treated mentally vulnerable ill patients over the years...many severe. Their ER physicians are backed up by highly-trained social workers and a remodeled department. Treating these complex patients has been a challenge for community-owned EvergreenHealth. Now...some terrific news for our community and outlying cities.
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| CONNECTIONS |
Highlights include:
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| Mark Wimley, COO EvergreehHealth Medical Group |
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| Monique Gablehouse, EvergreenHealth COO of Post Acute Care |
Since 1989, Americans have observed National Recovery Month to increase public awareness of mental health and addiction recovery; draw attention to new evidence-based treatment; celebrate the recovery community; and acknowledge the dedication of service providers and communities that enable recovery.
There is evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care. However, EvergreenHealth's organizational mission, vision and values inform and support the care we provide. We demonstrate a shared commitment to providing humane, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
In my role as COO of Post Acute Care with system responsibilities for Behavioral Health, I have had the honor of working with the executive team for the Recovery Center at EvergreenHealth Monroe. They have a Medical Detox Unit, a Residential Treatment program, a program for Substance Using Pregnant Persons (SUPP) as well as an After Care and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The dedicated teams work 24/7/365 to make sure that those struggling with addiction recovery in our area have a place to go for help. I am pleased to work at EvergreenHealth, which continues to support patients in recovery. I have spoken with several EvergreenHealth employees in Monroe and Kirkland, and this resource is so important for their friends and family in recovery.
Suzanne Greathouse, a community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience, has been selected to fill the vacant Position #2 on EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners.
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners has selected Suzanne Greathouse to serve in Position #2, representing the Kenmore/Kirkland community and all residents of King County Public Hospital District #2. Greathouse was sworn into the position on Sept. 17 and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Greathouse is a dedicated community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to support EvergreenHealth's ongoing mission to advance the health of the community.
"We are excited to have Suzanne join the Board, and we look forward to her contributions in supporting the health and well-being of our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "Like every other commissioner, Suzanne is dedicated to ensuring our community has access to high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care."
As the CEO and Co-Founder of REPSVR, a virtual reality skills training platform, Greathouse's diverse experience spans being a business owner, educator/trainer, executive, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has developed and led multicultural and virtual teams and managed complex business environments. She is an expert at applying industry best practices and emerging research to address specific challenges, fostering success, and enhancing performance, motivation, and job satisfaction.
Greathouse's career also includes nearly 20 years at AT&T, where she led efforts in various areas, including construction and engineering, research and development, emergency preparedness/disaster recovery, network security, network operations and IT product development and support. In 2017, after experiencing a family tragedy, Greathouse shifted her focus to serving the community. She has since held roles on the Kenmore City Council, the Northshore Fire District's Board of Commissioners, the City of Kenmore Planning Commission and the Northshore Senior Center Board of Directors.
Currently, Suzanne serves as a Northshore Utility District Commissioner and actively participates in various community organizations, including the Kenmore Heritage Society, Bothell/Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Kenmore Business Alliance, and the EvergreenHealth Foundation. She is also the founder and president of the Alex Greathouse Foundation, which provides oral cancer support and funding for treatment, research, and other essential needs.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with fellow members on ensuring access to the hospital system's vital services in Kirkland, Kenmore and throughout the Eastside," said Greathouse.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/20/2024
Comments: 1) Public Notice for the interviews of the Commission nominees was poor. Navigation on their website to find this public meeting was close to impossible. Thus, my wife and I (and others) didn't attend. BY
2) Evergreen Board has the worst notice system out of any public board and they don't do well with publishing information. They don't even record their meetings and publish minutes a month after the meetings happen. Anonymous comment 9/21/2024
EvergreenHealth - King County Public Hospital District No.2
Our Community-Owned Hospital
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| This "Silver Tower" and a 2nd Emergency Department were funded by district taxpayers of Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Mill Creek, Kenmore, Shoreline, Duval, Carnation, and Snohomish County. |
Rebecca Hirt has served as an EvergreenHealth Commissioner for 40 years
KIRKLAND, WA – On July 1, 2024, Rebecca Hirt stepped down from Position #2 on the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. Hirt says she is stepping down to care for her husband of 58 years and spend more time with her family.
Hirt was voted onto the Board by the EvergreenHealth community in 1983 and was sworn in January 1984. Over the last 40 years, she has held multiple leadership roles including Board Chair and Board Secretary. In addition to her leadership roles, Hirt has served on several Board committees, including the Levy Funded and Sponsorship Programs Committee, the Quality and Safety Committee and the Audit, Finance and Compliance Committee.
“I have cherished my time as a member of the EvergreenHealth Board and getting to work with so many groups and individuals, all dedicated to meeting the health needs of our patients and our community,” said Hirt. “I look forward to spending more time with my family knowing that our Board, the executive team, physicians and staff will continue to deliver quality care and enhance patient safety.”
A decades-long resident of Kirkland, Hirt holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from The Ohio State University. Hirt also worked as a Medical Technologist in the clinical laboratory at EvergreenHealth for 10 years before being voted onto the Board.
Individuals interested in this important and exciting role and reside in King County Public Hospital District #2, specifically the subdistrict of Kirkland/Kenmore, should apply.
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| "Localscape" - King County Assessor Transparency Tool |
In 1981, I bought my 1,800 sf home on Education Hill for $92,000. According to the calculator, the 2023 average sales price in my area is $1.2M.
My total property taxes in 2023 were $8961.80 (up $1,630 from 2022.) The calculator showed 2023 King County levy rates and dollar amounts on my property were, as follows:
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| CEO Ettore Palazzo is 4th from the right |
KIRKLAND, Wash. — EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners is recognizing Microsoft for its remarkable commitment to improving the health and wellness of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting the company with the 2023 Community Service Award.
During the pandemic, Microsoft volunteered to help EvergreenHealth and Overlake Medical Center, as well as collaborate with numerous community agencies, to create an effective vaccine program. With dedicated efforts to reach and support BIPOC community members, Microsoft helped administer more than 176,000 vaccinations on the Eastside.
“In the midst of the pandemic, Microsoft went above and beyond to advance the health of our community,” said EvergreenHealth Board Chair Virgil Snyder. “The company donated its education center and provided staff support for vaccination program operations, implemented tracking software, fully funded the program and covered clinical costs, donated time, leadership and passion around the clock. Their team set an example and encouraged broader community involvement and support. This award expresses our sincere appreciation to Microsoft for its role as a leader in our community during an unprecedented time.”
The award was announced during the June 18 Board of Commissioners meeting and was the first of two 2023 Community Service Awards being presented by the Board this year. The second 2023 Community Service Award will be presented in July.
Since 1998, the Community Service Award has been presented to community members and groups who make a profound impact on enhancing the health of the Eastside and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our most important values: compassion, respect, excellence, collaboration and accountability. See a list of past recipients here.
EvergreenHealth Board Chair Virgil Snyder (right) presents the 2023 Community Service Award to Colleen Daly (left), Microsoft's Director of Occupational Health, Safety and Research
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About EvergreenHealth
EvergreenHealth is a community-owned health care hospital system serving more than one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has evolved alongside the Eastside community into a two-hospital health system with a network of primary care practices, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, extensive home care and hospice services, and 24/7 emergency care in Kirkland, Monroe and Redmond. As a public hospital district, the health system’s purpose is to enrich the health and wellness of everyone in the community by providing equal access to high-quality, high-value care, partnering with local organizations to perform outreach and offering health education to address our community’s needs now and for generations to come. The hospital system is named one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best™ Hospitals and holds a 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com.
