I recall the financial crisis in 
2008. The financial meltdown 
was considered the most serious 
financial crisis since the Great 
Depression. It was historic! 
My biggest concern was that 
the financial professionals had 
never experienced this type of a 
financial crisis. How could they 
advise and navigate without any 
experience? But they did. 

Again, we find ourselves going 

through historic times. For the past 18 months, COVID-19 
has created a disruption in how we work, play and live. The 
most recent Delta variant is responsible for more sickness, 
increased hospitalizations and additional deaths. This time it 
is our healthcare professionals (who have never experienced 
a pandemic) who are leading the way to the other side of a 
pandemic-free world.

At the heart of Good Shepherd are our healthcare 
professionals. They continue to push through the stresses, 
and they keep coming back. Without our doctors, nurses, 
lab, nutrition services, environmental services and radiology 
professionals (just to mention a few), defeating COVID-19 
would seem impossible. I am very proud of all our staff. 
Without them, our ability to improve – especially during this 
pandemic – would not happen. 

This past year, Good Shepherd began a journey into a 
“Lean Hospital” philosophy. A Lean Hospital philosophy 
looks at the patient’s experience through the patient’s eyes. 
From the time a patient picks up the phone to schedule an 
appointment to the final bill, we look at interactions between 
patients and those processes. The goal is to ensure that our 
patients’ experiences are as seamless as possible. 

Good Shepherd welcomed three general surgeons to our 
staff: Drs. Ann Rust, David Maccabee and Marques Johnson. 
We also welcomed a surgically-trained podiatrist, Dr. Kyle 

Duncan. Finally, Good Shepherd welcomed physiatrists Dr. 
Trey Rigert and Dr. David Russo to our Physical Medicine & 
Rehabilitation Clinic. These physicians have already become 
an integral part of the Good Shepherd team. 

We continue to recruit the brightest professionals to serve. I 
am pleased to announce our new Vice President of Human 
Resources, Janeen Reding. Janeen joined Good Shepherd 
in March 2021, after the retirement of long-time employee 
Kelly Sanders. Janeen comes to Good Shepherd with a vast 
amount of human resources experience. 

I want to thank our Board Chair Sue Daggett and all our 
dedicated Trustees. The Good Shepherd Trustees are our 
guiding light. Everything starts with them. I also want to 
thank our Executive Team and department managers for 
guiding Good Shepherd through these unchartered waters. 
I also need to thank all of our healthcare professionals and 
staff. The quality and continuity of care starts with these 
folks, and no words can express my gratitude for all they 
have done and endured this past year. 

Finally, I want to thank you, the communities we serve. You 
are the reason Good Shepherd is here, which is to serve 
you. We may not get it perfect every time, but it does not 
stop us from trying. 

There is a Chinese curse that states, “May you live in 
interesting times”. Over the last 18 months, communities 
across the United States and the world have endured this 
pandemic. Like it or not, these times are certainly interesting.

Just like the financial crisis of 2008, there will be a day where 
I can say our times are very uninteresting. Until that time, our 
healthcare professionals are staying informed of the science 
and best practices. We will continue our Lean journey in our 
efforts to provide you the best care possible. We will also 
explore new, innovative ways that will ensure “our patients 
and their families will feel just a little bit better going out the 
door than when they came in”. 

Please take care of yourselves and each other. 

From the President

Last April, Good Shepherd was honored with the 2021 Hope Award given by the Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank. The Hope 
Award is granted to a hospital for outstanding performance in a given year for saving lives. Because our staff recognized it in the 
very moment needed, a person in need of a transplant lived and in the midst of tragedy the donor family was able to be part of a 
legacy left by their loved one. 

Brian Sims, FACHE | President & CEO | Good Shepherd Health Care System

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The Good Shepherd Health Care 
System Administrative Team 
(back row, left to right): Jan 
Peter (VP of Fiscal Services), 
Troy LeGore (VP of GSMG), 
Jim Schlenker (COO), Brian 
Sims (CEO), Brian Patrick (VP 
of Nursing), Felicia Vargas 
(Executive Assistant).
(front row, left to right) Janeen 
Reding (VP of HR), Sheri 
Lynn Miller (Administration 
Dept. Manager), Kerry Tassie 
(Executive Assistant)