Posted by G. Stowe Talbot on Jul 25, 2017
Flag Salute & Invocation by Patrick Drum
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Bevery Maher, Chris Philips, Dale Zender, Cherie Martin, Marianne Scott, Jessisa Hetch (DVSAS), and Giovani Melley!
 
President Curtis talked about a great first month as president, and now home-hosting Giovanni for a month.
 
Announcements
 
Crab Feed last week was as usual great event well attended. Thanks to Mark for hosting, Eddie and Bob & Diane Becker.
 
Brewers by the Bay:  Lance thanked everyone who came out to attend and volunteer. Initial numbers show about $30K raised. Great music this year.  Very successful event all around.  Mark Turner took fantastic photos.
 
Rotary District 5050 event Golffun: August 18th at the beautiful Homestead Golf & Country Club in Lynden, WA. 
4-person scramble format, 18 holes of golf, prizes, and a buffet dinner. Proceeds to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund and Polio Plus.  Shotgun start at 1:00 pm and registration opens at 11:00 am. Click here to register:  www.district5050.org/2014golfun 
 
Giovanni Melley thanked the club for his wonderful year here as an exchange student; he is glad to be back here visiting before starting college (studying business and law) next year in Italy.
 
Tresha gave abbreviated notes from last week’s board meeting:  New member application for Inge Drexel (sp?).  Tim Krell joining the board to replace Glen Groenig. Karen Haggen, Paul Twedt and Bob Tull are resigning from the club. We are exploring the idea of hiring a part-time executive secretary.  
 
Curtis gave a Paul Harris award to Stowe (his 2nd!)
 
Bucks in Bay
  • Curtis had fun at Brewers, glad to have Giovanni here, wife Felicity joining the Monday Club!
  • John Purdie had an open house at MBT successfully signed up 30+ new members, AND one of his twin daughters got job!
  • Brent Walker whale stories (synchronized breaching!) while cruising the Canadian Gulf islands;
  • Lance survived busy weekend with Brewers and two Bellingham United games!
  • Stew Ellison thanked Brewers' clean up committee.  Also, please sign up for the Aug 22nd (Sunday) Rotario dinner:  A progressive dinner at four Rotarian houses on Lake Whatcom with transportation by boat!
  • Steve Kimberly sad bucks for the recent death of an acquaintance in a climbing accident;
Sergeant at Arms Mark Turner 
Fines for misc. sins
Program 
Brad introduced Dale Zender and Chris Philips from Peacehealth.  Bellingham's St. Joseph Hospital is 127 years old.  The parent organization, Peacehealth, is based in Vancouver, WA.  It is a non-for-profit Catholic healthcare system with over 16,000 caregivers in three regions in the Pacific Northwest. 
 
Dale Zender (Chief Executive, Hospital Services NW) is responsible for Peacehealth’s "Northwest Network":  4 hospitals (Ketchikan, Bellingham, Friday Harbor and Sedro Wooley).  Dale Zender has been with PeaceHealth for over 30 years, beginning his career at St. Joseph Hospital in 1983 as a budget manager.  Over the years he has served as VP of Finance, COO and CFO. 
 
Chris Phillips (Director for Community Affairs) helps to build community partnerships that result in improved pediatric dental services, greater insurance coverage for the North Sound region, and expanded care coordination services for the most vulnerable.  Using partnerships with such organizations as SeaMar and UnityCare, Peacehelth tries to lower the frequency of emergency room visits.  The three main factors that keep people healthy: Financial stability, a good education, and strong social networks (family and friends).  Chris talked about some of the ways Peacehealth is addressing the needs of community health.
 
Acute care patients:  85% now choose to stay in Whatcom County for their care, not go to Seattle.
Informational system:  $100M was invested by Peacehealth last year.
 
Elenor Apartments (developed by Mercy Housing), just opening in downtown Bellingham next month and is an example of supportive housing for vulnerable seniors.
 
Erik Dyrland wins the raffle!
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot