I am writing not only in support of Bruce McComas for hospital commissioner but to discuss the functions of the board.
The way the hospital board works with each other and with senior leadership is key to the success of the organization.
The board sets policies, goals and expectations for the management of the hospital.
Board members, in my opinion, should not be health care professionals.
This can put them at a lower level of the organization than where they functioned previously, and I believe it can be difficult for them to leave that mindset.
Some of the very best commissioners in my 28 years at the hospital were neither physicians nor nurses.
Commissioners are not expected to manage operations or work directly with employees, so the skills of these professionals are not directly helpful to the organization.
Coming from other walks of life helps the collaborative effort to ensure the best for our hospital.
The board already has one physician and one nurse and does not need another nurse who campaigns that she has hands-on experience in the clinical arena.
Bruce McComas listens and shows solid judgment, insight and wisdom.
He understands the functions of the hospital, having served on an advisory financial committee, and he brings skills from the business world.
We need people like Bruce at the governance and oversight level of this organization.
We also want commissioners who are objective and do not publicly announce their support of the CEO before they are elected.
Dana Michelsen,
Port Townsend