Volume 11, Issue 12                                                                                     June 6, 2003

Hospital Graduates Meet the World 

 Community Highlights invited all employees to submit pictures and brief biographies on seniors graduating from high school or college, and those finishing nursing college.  The following grads were submitted by press time.  (Click on any photo with a blue border for a larger image. It may take up to a minute to load some of these pictures.) 

Thanks to all the proud moms, dads, aunts, brothers, sisters who submitted photos.  Please do not copy these photos contact the family for a reprint.

Top Row left to right: 

Jason Ross.  The son of Jeff and Penny Ross (ACU).  Jeff graduated from WSU May 10th.  He has degrees in Accounting and MIS (management information systems).  Jeff know joins that elite class of being a Cougar Alum! 

Kyle Phillips.  Son of Marian Phillips (Lab). Kyle received a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from WSU on May 9th.  He is going to begin his graduate studies in August.  He is the first of the Phillips four sons to receive a Bachelor's degree.  

Rachelle Martin.  Daughter of Marcia Martin (Med. Records).  Rachelle graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Exercise Science in March.  She is now attending graduate school at Western. 

Micah Heeringa.  Son of Lloyd (Maintenance) & Joyce (Business Office).  Micah graduates June 14th from Eastern Washington University with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy.   

Matthew VanWingerden.  Son of Arie (Pharmacy) and Agnes.  Valedictorian at Sunnyside Christian High School this year.  Plans to attend University of Washington and major in Bio-Chemistry.  Matthew has worked at the hospital as a volunteer. 

Second Row: Left to Right. 

Tina Glockner & Helen Kone.  Tina (Foundation Coordinator) and Helen (Admitting) are graduating from the YVCC Nursing Program.  Woo hoo!

Hilary Lathen.  Daughter of Tom Lathen (Community Relations) and Laurie Lathen.  Hilary is graduating from Sunnyside High School.  She will attend Gonzaga University in Spokane in the fall majoring in Political Science. 

Thomas Whitaker.  Brother of Samantha LaClair (Admitting).   Thomas is graduating from Toppenish High School. 

Lindsay Phillips.  Niece of Lisa Garcia (H.R.) Daughter of Yolanda Phillips (Dr. Elerding's office).  Graduating from Sunnyside High School.  Plans to attend Eastern Washington University majoring in Biology to prepare for the Physical Therapy program at Eastern. 

Marlene VanWingerden.  Daughter of Arie and Agnes. Graduating with Doctor of Physical Therapy from UPS in Tacoma.  Undergrad from Dordt where she was an Academic All American in basketball and softball. 

    _{In This Corner    by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.}   

The graduation photos above remind us all that another year has come and gone.  It is a big year for the young people noted above and their peers.  Many changes await those headed off to college, or those completing their college years and headed into the workforce. 

The hospital is very proud to have been a part of supporting the nursing education goals of Helen Kone and Tina Glockner who are pictured above.  "Growing our own" nurses, doctors and professionals is an important goal of the hospital.  There are several other students following Tina and Helen in the nursing program that we hope will have long and happy careers in nursing in the Valley.  We also hope to compete for those who are looking at other medicine careers. 

But the hospital endeavors to support all of our high school graduates.  For the past 8 years we have made contributions directly to the graduating senior classes of eight area high schools.  We do this as a gesture of support for the effort it takes to stay in school in this generation, and as a way to show these young people that the business community really does care about the students. 

Many of our brightest and best feel the call to the big city.  Rather than fight too hard against that, maybe we should concentrate more on preserving our way of life for when they get tired of the big city and head home.  While it has been a tough few weeks for many of us in and around the hospital, I hope you will continue to look to the future, continue to treat every patient and family member with professionalism and care, and I hope you will continue to work every day with gratitude for the privilege of caring for our friends and neighbors at difficult points in their lives. 

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