Mary Alice Heuschel of Renton, superintendent of Renton schools, is interested in serving as a commissioner for Valley Medical Center.
Heuschel made the announcement at a Board of Commissioners meeting Monday evening at which commissioners from Northwest Hospital in Seattle briefed Valley’s commission on their hospital’s alliance with UW Medicine.
Heuschel is interested in running for a commission seat “when it becomes available,” she said during a public comment period. In an interview she indicated she’s not interested in running against anyone currently on the board.
Heuschel said she has spoken with members of the Renton School Board to let them know of her interest in running for the medical center board. She lives in the hospital district.
The five hospital commissioners are elected to six-year terms. Only one seat is on this year’s fall election ballot, the one held by longtime commissioner Don Jacobson.
That seat is available.
In an interview today (Tuesday) Jacobson said publicly for the first time he will not run for re-election to a fourth term on the commission. Heuschel did not refer to Jacobson Monday evening.
“I want to see the merger through and help where I can and participate where I can,” Jacobson said, calling a strategic alliance with UW Medicine “a great opportunity.”
During Jacobson’s 18 years on the board, Valley Medical has seen explosive development on its campus, including the construction of the new South Tower which houses the Emergency Services Department.
“I think the hospital is in good shape,” he said.
Jacobson’s community involvement spans decades, including service on the Renton School Board, the Renton Chamber of Commerce Board and the Renton Technical College Board.
If the Valley Medical Center and UW Medicine form a strategic alliance, Valley’s board would more than double in size, at least under the current thinking. The existing Valley board would sit on the new board overseeing hospital operations, which would also include five members appointed from the community.
Such an appointment is another way Heuschel could join the medical center board.
The elected board would continue to oversee the business of Public Hospital District 1, which would still to own the medical center in an alliance.
Heuschel had served with 21 others on a Valley Medical President’s Advisory Council convened last year to offer the community’s perspective on national health-care reform.
One of the driving forces behind a strategic alliance is health-care reform, which has as one of its objectives more efficient delivery of health care. Heuschel has spoken before the hospital board in support of the alliance.
Heuschel also said she wants to strengthen the school district’s partnership with Valley Medical Center.
