Thurston-Mason County Medical Society
Healthcare Champions
Honoring the people and organizations who make our community healthier.
From compassionate patient care to lasting community service, Healthcare Champions celebrates extraordinary contributions to health in Thurston and Mason counties. TMCMS is carrying this tradition forward, building on the recognition program previously presented in partnership with the Thurston County Chamber.
Nominate a Healthcare ChampionMeet our past honorees
Celebrating a legacy of leadership, service, and care. Explore the honorees from 2007 through 2023.
2023
- Monica Young, MD (MultiCare)Community Impact Award
- REST Program — Interfaith Works partnership with Providence Swedish and MultiCareHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Darren Cuevas, DOLeadership in Rural Medicine Award
- Providence Swedish Abuse Intervention Center — Joyce Gilbert, MD & Heather McCloudDistinguished Service Award
- South Puget Sound Community College Healthcare ProgramsFuture of Health Care Award
2022
- The Mayday FoundationHealth Safety Net Award
- Health Sciences AcademyInnovative Community Service Award
- Dr. Mike HerringLifetime Achievement Award
- Dr. William PetersonDistinguished Service Award
2021
- Keylee Marineau, Thurston County Homeless Response Coordinator
- Providence’s Lisa Humphrey, Dan Donahue, Corey Nygaard & Crystal Billings
- Mason Public Health & Mason Health
- Physicians of SW WA
- The Olympia Free Clinic
The 2021 honorees were recognized during the COVID-19 response. Individual award categories were not listed in that year’s announcements.
2020
- Stephen Snow, MDProfessional Leadership Award
- Bill Gavin, MDLifetime Achievement Award
- Sandy AdamsCommunity Impact Award
- Beau BakkenInnovation in Rural Medicine
- Dr. Diana Yu & Thurston County Public Health & Social ServicesDistinguished Service Award
- Dr. Daniel Stein & Mason County Public HealthDistinguished Service Award
2019
- Eileen McKenzie Sullivan & Senior Services of South SoundSafety Net Award
- Eric MollInnovation in Rural Medicine
- Lucinda Grande, MDInnovative Community Service Award
- Chelsea D. Unruh, MDHealth Care Pioneer
2018
- Interfaith WorksSafety Net Award
- Annie Iriye, MDProfessional Leadership
- Karen Hilburn Cancer FundCommunity Impact Award
- Paul WilkinsonLifetime Achievement Award
2017
- Gregg VandeKieft, MDDistinguished Service Award
- Providence FoundationSafety Net Award
- Gary Franklin, MDCommunity Impact Award
- Nancy TrucksessLifetime Achievement Award
2016
- Dean Gushee, MDInnovation in Rural Medicine
- Maddy deGiveCommunity Impact Award
- Dave BjornsonLifetime Achievement Award
2015
- Don SlomaCommunity Impact Award
- Tim’s PharmacySafety Net Award
- Patrick Halpin, MDProfessional Leadership
- Mark Schlauderaff, MDInnovation in Rural Medicine
2014
- Rodney Joe, MDHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Mariella CummingsCommunity Impact Award
- Michael Matlock, MDDistinguished Service Award
2013
- George Chappell, MDHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Joe Hoffman, MDEmergency Service Award
- Angela Bowen, MDHealth Care Pioneer Award
- James McDowell, MDLifetime Achievement Award
2012
- Charlie Keck, MDLifetime Achievement Award
- John MastersonInnovative Community Service Award
- Jonathan SeibCommunity Impact Award
- Greg Blackner, MDHealthcare Safety Net Award
2011
- Gary Goin, MDDistinguished Service Award
- Jon Peterson, DOSafety Net Award
- Bob AppelCommunity Impact Award
- Erin Kershisnik, MD & Samantha Ritchie, MDInnovative Community Service Award
2010
- Diana Yu, MDDistinguished Service Award
- James KaechSupport Services Award
- SeaMar Community Health CenterHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Mason County Dental CoalitionHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Beth Harvey, MDCommunity Impact Award
2009
- Deborah Hall, MDDistinguished Service Award
- Kevin Haughton, MD/St. Peter Family MedicineBusiness Award
- Sherwin Cotler, PhD & Steve Macuk, MDCommunity Impact Award
- Olympia Union Gospel Mission Dental/VisionHealth Care Safety Net Award
- Tom DiDonna, RNSupport Services Award
2008
- Ward Miles, MDDistinguished Service Award
- Kim Klint, Mason MattersSupport Services Award
- Jeff Walker, MD and Kim Brandt, MDEmergency Services Award
- Jane JonesCommunity Impact Award
- Bill PerkinsBusiness Award
2007
- Dieter Kirchheim, MDDistinguished Service Award
- Greg Yates & Debra GauEmergency Services Award
- The Williams GroupBusiness Award
- Donald E. WilsonSupport Services Award
- Steven Albrecht, MDCommunity Impact Award
Historical honorees and award titles are drawn from TMCMS and Thurston County Chamber records. Affiliations reflect the award year. To share a correction or addition, contact TMCMS.