UW Medicine announced Tuesday morning that they have appointed King County councilmember Julia Patterson to Valley Medical Center’s new board of trustees.
Patterson, who is of the SeaTac area, will serve as a community trustee appointed from within the medical center’s service area.
She will start her two-year term immediately.Patterson is a lifelong resident of south King County and served as a City of SeaTac councilmember from 1990 to 1993.
The strategic alliance was formed July 1 between UW Medicine and Valley Medical Center.
As part of it, a new board of trustees will provide oversight for Valley Medical Center and its clinics.
“I am delighted that Julia Patterson is joining the board of trustees, which is responsible for assuring that Valley Medical Center continues itslong tradition of providing outstanding clinical care with an emphasis on patient safety and service,” said Dr. Paul G. Ramsey, chief executive officer, UW Medicine. “Her experience as a policy maker and as a member and past chair of the King County Board of Health will serve the board well.”
Since 2001, Patterson has served as King County councilmember representing south King County.
She is also a member of the Employment and Administration Committee; Regional Transit Committee, King County Board of Health (chair from 2006-2011); Sound Transit Board; and Matt Griffin YMCA Board.
She has also been a member of the Washington State Senate andWashington State House of Representatives.
“I am pleased to welcome Julia Patterson to the board,” said Lisa Jensen, chair, board of trustees, Valley Medical Center. “As a lifelong resident of south King County, she is closely connected to the community and fully understands the health challenges faced by south King Countyresidents. Under her leadership, the Board of Health adopted many policies to help keep our residents safe, encourage people to make healthier choices, protect the environment, reduce the spread of disease and challenge health disparities.”
Patterson was raised on a small farm in south King County. She has a bachelor of science degree in Society and Justice from Washington State University and a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Washington.