At Valley Medical Center, our staff members and teams are the cornerstone of the care we provide. We have incredible gratitude for each and every one of them and all that they’ve given through this tremendously trying time.

They are on the frontlines daily. They are true heroes. They tirelessly upheld our collective commitment to care for our community like family and we couldn’t have weathered these unprecedented times without them.

We are thrilled have Valley’s Thank a Caregiver Program in place. The donation of a glass float, in honor of a current or former staff member or friend of Valley, will allow an employee, team or community member who has delivered or received outstanding care to be recognized in a lasting way.

Why glass floats? Glass floats were once used by fishermen to keep their nets and lines afloat in the water. Our caregivers have weathered the tides of uncertainty and unparalleled need this past year—buoying each other, their patients and the community. Now it’s our turn to do the same for them.

The one of a kind blown glass floats are 5” in diameter and reflect Valley’s watercolors representing the diversity of the community we serve, the cultures represented by our staff and the wide range of care services provided across our hospital and clinic network.

The floats are on display in a new feature, donated by Valley’s Administration, in our Healing Garden. Located on our main campus, the Healing Garden serves as a quiet space for meditation and reflection. Patients, visitors and staff benefit from and enjoy the soothing, restful and refreshing sanctuary.

Floats are $100 each, with discounts available for multiple floats. And, for an additional $50, the Valley caregiver you are recognizing will also receive a blown glass heart delivered with your personal message of thanks – a lasting and personal symbol of your appreciation. Float and heart colors will be assigned randomly to fully represent all aspects of our organization. The price of each of these items also includes a tax-deductible donation supporting Valley.

Please help us in celebrating the caregivers and community members who have been recognized through the Thank a Caregiver program to date:

#TeamGenMed Infusion Center Outpatient Rehab
3 East Nursing Staff Inpatient Nursing Services Palm Balm Soap Co.
3 North Team Jaime Nephew Patient & Family Advisory Council
Acute Care Surgery Team James Park, MD Paul Scott
Alex K. Shockey, MPH, CPXP Janet Powell, MSN-Ed, RN Payroll and Accounts Payable
Amanda Wong Kim, MD, MPH Jeannine Grinnell Perioperative Services
Amisha Mehta, MD Jen Sprada Pharmacy Services
Amy Jones Jessica Palm Philip Chan, MD, MHA
Amy McElroy Jim Renz Professional Development
& Education
Amy Steltz, MSN, RN, CCRN Jo Fasen Proliance Orthopedic Associates
Amy Westendorf, MA, CCC-SLP John Nemanich, MD Radiation Oncology Team
Amy Wolff Judith Puzon, RN, MSN Renee Weston
Ancillary Services Julie Osgood, MS, DrPH Respiratory Services
Andriette Hall, RN Kalen Privatsky Revenue Cycle
Angela Nwanne, RN Kathy Barnum R.T. (R) (M)  Rich Roodman
Angelina Salazar Kathy Feist Richard Ingber, MD
April Fan, RD, CD Katina Maier Richard Kim, MD
Ashan Korala Kawai Kaneali'i, BSN, RN Robert Molina, MD, MHA
Ashley Leasure Kim Herner, MD Ron Cohen, MD
Associated Emergency Physicians Kim Miller Ronald Ajax 
Ayla Holt, BSN Kim Nett Roxanne Carlander, RN
Blair Fleming, R.T.(R)(ARRT) Kim Petram, RN, MHL Russ Daniels 
Bob Thompson, MD Kirstin Sellers, MSN, RN,
ACNS-BC, CPXP
Safety
Breanne Piehl, RN Kris Nakanishi Sarah Benton, MSW
Brenda Latsch Krissy Yamamoto, MD Sean McCliment, MHA
Budgeting Kristen Volcke, CPA Service Navigator Team
Carrie Murayama Kristin Graves, RN Shahina Banthanavasi, MD
Carrie Roberts Labor Productivity Shannon Markegard, DO
Cassie Hurley Lara Wilmore Sharon Ajax 
Children's Therapy Laura Matheson Shelly Caldejon, MSN, RN
Clinic Finance Lauren Wong Special Procedures Care Unit
Clinic Network, RN Care Managers,
and Triage & Advice Nurses
Lifestyle Medicine - Covington Specialty Imaging
Clinical Informatics Lifestyle Medicine - Maple Valley Stacey Elliott
Clinical Laboratory Services Lifestyle Medicine & Fitness
Center - Renton
Staci Lyons
COVID-19 Incident Command
& Response
Lindy Dillingham Supply Chain
Critical Care Nurses Lisa Gillin Tara Lanz
Cynthia McGonigal, RN Liz & James Nolan Telly Russell, MD
Dan Simon, MD Lyra Sims, RN Terry Song
Dara Jolly, MD Mae Haidinyak The Breast Center and HighRisk Screening & Genetics Clinic
David Hunter Marianne Erwin, BSN, RN, CPXP Theresa Bonnell, RN, BSN,
CPAN, CAPA
David Smith Marketing Team Theresa Braungardt, MN, RN
David Tavares  Marlene Van Orden Thomas Hammett
Distribution Mary VanHoomissen, MBA, RN Tierney Boyer
Dolly Alex-Wasielewski,
MSN, RN, CPAN
Matt Mulder, MD Tim Feldmann, RN
Drew Hunt Med/Surg Float Pool Tina & Cory McDonough
Eduardo Margo, MD Medical Oncology and GYN
Oncology Team
Toni Wolcott, RN, BSN, OCN
Elaine Tam Megan Dippé, PA-C Valley Anesthesia Associates
Elaine Thurnhofer Michael Burke, MD  Valley Pet Therapy Teams
Emergency Department Michael J. Kaminski, MD Value Based Health
Emergency Management/Security/
Telecommunications
Michael Pirkle Vanessa Ledezma, MA
Employee Health Services Michele Despreaux, MD Vantage Radiology & Diagnostic Services 
Environmental Services Mike Bymers Vascular Access Team
Erica Duston Mike Hori, MD Velta Jean Nance
Erin Chairez, MSN, RN,
CCRN-K, CCDS
Murayama Family Vidal Hillard
Facilities Nancy Verhaar  Vinita Singh, MBA, MN,
RN, CCRN
Finance Naomi Belayneh, ARNP Vivian Moe 
Gayle Jewett Nate Glass VOICE Team
Gina Vdovina, MA Navanshu Arora, MD Volunteers in Action
Grace Dalrymple Neurohospitalist Team Wayne Manuel, MBA,
FACHE
Grace Jeanne Sellers Nursing Resources Wayne VanBuskirk
Helen Ihuwan Nutrition Services Wendy Graveley
Hien Pham, MD Office of the Patient Experience Wendy La Cava, RN
Hospitalist Team Oncology Clinic William Park, MD
Human Resources Oncology Patient Access Team Women & Children's
Services
Imaging Oncology Social Work and
Financial & Treatment Coordinators 
Wuaca Luna, MD

Alex Dang    
Becky Lyons Dills, NP    
Brittney Singleton    
Courtney Couch    
Diane Guglielmetti    
Dina Nguyen, MD    
Dominica Difuntorum    
Emily Turnbull, ARNP    
Fred Huang, MD    
Jennifer Spotted Horse, RN    
Josephine Evangelista, NP    
Julia Patterson    
Kate Schjoneman    
Lauren Smilde, NP    
Liezl Dumakilewe    
Lisa Simonson    
Long Nguyen, DO    
Mae Haidinyak    
Maila Miguel, RN    
Mandy Tjossem    
Marilyn Schroeder, RN    
Mary Torres, RN    
Michelle Despreaux, MD    
Myrna Saunders, RN    
Pei-Chia Liang, MD    
Rajib Choudhury, MD    
Rick Teal    
Rick Williams    
Robert Douglas, MD    
Tanner Nakanishi    
Trish Hartley    
Valeriy Boychev, RN    
Vinita Singh    
Wayne VanBuskirk    
Zhimin Zhai, MD    

 



Share your gratitude for a caregiver who’s made a difference in your life!

Questions? Please contact Carrie Murayama, Director of
Philanthropy and Volunteer Services, or call 425.690.5956.