Board of Directors

Like the hospital, the Foundation is guided by an all-volunteer Board of Directors who represent the communities served by Harrison Medical Center. These volunteers chart the long-range course of the Foundation—working always to serve the medical center through community outreach activities. Additionally, these volunteers ensure that the Foundation is administered effectively and donors' interests are served. They are also ambassadors for Harrison in the communities they live and work.

Members

 

“The quality and strength of a community can be measured by the support of those who live and work in that community. My support of Harrison is a direct result of my belief that strong communities make great places to live, work, and raise a family.”

Mike Miller, Chair

Bremerton resident Mike Miller joined the board in 2004. Mike is a Senior Principal at Rice Fergus Miller architects in Bremerton, leading the firm’s practice in senior housing, hospitality, and healthcare design. Mike has architectural degrees from both the University of Washington and the University of Oregon and has certification from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. In addition to serving on the Foundation Board, Mike served for a short period on the Medical Center Board.

 

“Harrison Medical Center is the leading heath care provider on the peninsula and a key component to the high quality of life for the entire area. The growth we have experienced at Harrison has resulted in positive changes that we could never have imagined. We no longer need to leave the county for specialized services, heart surgery, cancer care, need I say more. The community started this Medical Center and it is the community that must support it and care for it as it continues to grow. So just as the Harrison family that started the hospital we can all be a part of it.”

Bill Benson

Bill Benson of Bremerton has served on the Foundation’s board of directors since 2006. Bill is the President and CEO of Posh Speaker Systems on Bainbridge Island. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of a Puget Sound area bank with 11 locations, chaired the trust and wealth committee and the executive loan committee. Bill is an active member of The East Bremerton Rotary Club, with 17 years of perfect attendance, has served on the board and received the Rotarian of the Year Award 2006-07. He is also a past board member for the American Red Cross and received the American Red Cross Real Heroes Preparedness Award in 2008.

 

Lois Bresaw, MD

Dr. Lois Bresaw joined the board in 1994. Dr. Bresaw has been practicing in Kitsap County for many years.  Her practice, Olympic Gynecology and Women's Care is located in Poulsbo.

 

Bruce Harlow

Poulsbo resident Retired Rear Admiral Harlow joined the board in 2002.

 

John Kenney

Mr. Kenney has nearly 15 years helping families, individuals and business owners with estate planning, asset protection, wealth preservation and transfer and tax minimization.

A sough after expert, Mr. Kenney is the author of several articles and has presented nearly a hundred seminars throughout the country to audiences of potiential clients and his contemporaries in the legal and tax field.

Mr. Kenney serves as a Commander in the US Navy JAG Corps currently as a Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command.

 

 

R. Chris King, MD

Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Chris King joined the board in 2006.

 

“My numerous family members and I have been the recipients of excellent health care services provided by Harrison Medical Center during these last few years, on both an in-patient and out-patient basis. I know first hand the many challenges of providing outstanding care, the expectation of the consumer, and what it means to receive great services in our local community. I hope my own knowledge and experience can be helpful to the Medical Center Foundation. Harrison’s team of dedicated heath care professionals proudly service the Westsound community, and in today’s financial climate this is not an easy task."

Leslie Krueger

Leslie Krueger joined the board in June 2008. Leslie and her husband Rick are the co-owners and managers of Encore Communities Retirement and Health care facilities, Silverdale Campus, which include Northwoods Lodge, Clearbrook Inn, and Country Meadows. Although a Belfair resident, Leslie was born and raised in Bremerton and has spent her entire health care career working in Kitsap County, after graduating from the University of Washington School of Nursing. She has previously been involved as a Board of Directors member with a number of organizations, including the March of Dimes, the North Mason Boys and Girls Club, the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, and currently serves on the Admiral Theatre Foundation board.

 

Kelly R. Nelson

Kelly R. Nelson, CPA, of Kingston joined the Foundation’s board of directors in 2004. She has nearly 18 years of experience as a certified public accountant and has been the managing member of Nelson Accounting Professionals, PLLC, of Poulsbo since 2002. Nelson served as treasurer of the Harrison Medical Center Foundation Board and sponsors numerous nonprofit organizations. She is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Kitsap County Estate Planning Council. Nelson also serves on the board of Harrison Medical Center.

 

Orrin Nelson

Port Orchard resident Orrin Nelson joined the board in 2006.

 

 

Brenda Neshem

Brenda is Vice President of Tim’s Home Medical Supplies, a business she co-owns with her husband Tim. In that role, Brenda has primary responsibility for operations, including accounting, legal, personnel and community support. Recently, Brenda has developed the company’s support for women in the community who have undergone mastectomies, including developing a line of available products and obtaining her certification as a fitter.

 

Both Brenda and Tim were raised in Kitsap County and have a deep affinity for the community. They have actively supported Harrison Medical Center through their in-kind support of Pediatric Rehabilitation, as well as through the Festival of Trees. While this is Brenda’s first board appointment, she is looking forward to assisting with the Foundation’s fundraising.

 

“Harrison Medical Center is our community’s dominate health care provider and has been since before I was born at Harrison in the mid-1950’s. While the Medical Center’s sole reason for existing is to provide for our well-being, it is continually beset with challenges from sources outside of its control that constrain its ability to perform its mission of providing the exceptional medical care we all expect when we visit. By serving on the Board of the Medical Center Foundation I am able to, in a meaningful way, assist the Medical Center in its efforts to provide exceptional medical care to our community.”

Ray Norton

Poulsbo resident Ray Norton has served on the Foundation’s board of directors since June 2008 and currently serves as treasurer. Ray Norton is the President and CEO of The Impressions Group, Inc., a marketing and fulfillment services company headquartered in Poulsbo. Ray was born and raised in Bremerton and served as Chairman of the Bremerton Planning Commission and Vice-President of the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he served for three years as Chairman of the Board for the Columbia Tower Club in Seattle and as President, for two years, of the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association. He is a lifetime member of the U.S. Navy League, University of Washington Alumni Association and Bremerton Yacht Club.

 

"Having been born and raised in Bremerton, it is important for me and my family to give back to our community.  Each of us, at some point in our lives, will need the care provided by Harrison Medical Center and knowing the increasing budgetary restraints that the hospital is put under and will continue to be put under, it is in our best interest to help in any way to assist the hospital to provide exceptional medical care.  The foundation provides money to programs and services that may not otherwise be funded, but which helps the medical center meet its’ mission of “making a positive difference in people's lives through exceptional healthcare."

Joy Page

Joy Page was born at Harrison Hospital and raised in Bremerton.  Joy is the Vice President of Boxlight, a manufacturer and wholesaler of projection equiment worldwide. She has served on the board of Kitsap County United Way (serving two years as President) and the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce Board.  Currently Joy serves on the West Sound Human Resources Management Association as Foundation Director.

 

“Harrison Medical Center provided me the opportunity for a wonderful nursing career and afforded me the privilege of providing care to the community in many different ways. This is a wonderful community hospital with very dedicated professionals working there. I am very proud of the organization.”

Susie Rankin, RN

Susie Rankin of Bremerton joined the board in October 2010. Susie worked at Harrison Medical Center for 41 years as an ER nurse and Director of Emergency & Urgent Care Services. Susie has served on the American Red Cross board and a loaned Executive to the United Way. Susie is a member of the Kitsap County Disaster Management Team and has been recognized as a YMCA Woman of Achievement and has received the Florence Nightingale Nursing Excellence Award.

 

 

Homer Smith

Homer is a Financial Advisor with Hearthstone Wealth Management, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He became an advisor in 2001, and has held progressively responsible positions, including earning his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. He has extensive experience in financial management, marketing and leadership and a particular interest in helping to optimize his clients’’ legacies through wealth enhancement, protection, transfer and charitable giving.

 

 

Rick Tift

Rick Tift, MBA, is the executive director for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. He has received numerous awards during his career, including two Navy Meritorious Civilian awards. Each year, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Chapter of the Naval Civilian Managers Association selects one leader within the organization that exemplifies their positive work environment with a diverse, professional, and dedicated purpose. In 2010, Tift was selected as the 2010 NCMA Manager of the Year. Nominated by a member of his staff, he was described as the type of leader that "stands apart as an example for others to emulate.” A resident of Bremerton, Tift is a member of the Downtown Bremerton Rotary Club and the Bremerton and Olympic Peninsula Navy League. He also serves on the board of Harrison Medical Center and Leadership Kitsap. He joined the Foundation’s board of directors in June 2011.

 

“Having a successful hospital in Kitsap County is essential to the success of our community. It is important to promote the superior medical care Harrison Medical Center provides and how much HMC gives back to the community. By becoming involved with the Foundation board I look forward to the opportunity to play an active role in helping raise funds to improve the lives of all who call Kitsap home.”

Shauna Washburn

Bremerton’s Shauna Washburn joined the Foundation’s board of directors in June 2011. Shauna Washburn serves in the position of vice president, business operations at United Moving & Storage’s. In this roll, Shauna has primary accountability for the business strategies and operations of service, sales and marketing. Shauna is currently active in the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, East Bremerton Rotary and on the Board of WMC.