In the upcoming election, voters in the greater Renton area are voting for a commissioner for Public Hospital District No. 1 (Valley Medical Center).  The strongest candidate, who will protect the public status of the hospital and who will work to implement the new alliance with UW Medicine is Mary Alice Heuschel. She is currently the superintendent of the Renton School District, where she has received state and national recognition.

Mary Alice is an experienced executive, which is a necessary skill for the hospital board. She effectively works with large budgets, cost control, labor issues and a variety of community and government partnerships. The hospital board is the citizen organization that oversees the management of the hospital.  Mary Alice is the only candidate with no conflict of interest regarding Valley Medical Center services. Mary Alice has extensive experience in responsibly managing taxpayer dollars.

Service as a hospital commissioner is no different than service on other boards. As superintendent, Mary Alice has served with distinction, on the Washington STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology) Center and Education Northwest boards, and advisory boards for Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University. Community service is an expectation of the superintendent’s position because of the benefit of networking with partners in education. Also, it should be noted that former superintendent Gary Kohlwes was elected and served on the hospital board while he was Renton Schools superintendent.

Vote for Mary Alice Heuschel, commissioner for Public Hospital District 1 (Valley Medical Center). She will be an independent advocate for all families & children.  She is the most qualified for this position, and she will not let you down.

Joy Poff, Renton

(Former Renton School Board director)