Summit Pacific CEO Josh Martin elected to state Hospital Association board

Summit Pacific CEO Josh Martin has been elected to the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Board of Directors. Nominated over the summer by a subcommittee of the board, Martin was voted in during the association’s Oct. 7 installment of its annual meeting by WSHA hospital and health system members.

“We are excited to have Josh’s expertise in rural health, mental health and community healthcare on our Board of Directors,” WSHA President & CEO Cassie Sauer said. “His peers share our enthusiasm for his skills, as his peers were the ones who selected him for this role. He will surely be a valued leader to help us continue making Washington State healthier over the next year.”

WSHA is the membership association for all the hospitals and health systems in Washington. The association takes a major leadership role in issues that impact delivery, quality, accessibility, affordability, and continuity of healthcare in both the policy and the clinical arenas. It works to improve the health status of all residents.

As a board member, Martin will help provide executive oversight for the association and attend five board meetings a year. Additionally, Martin’s specific position will also act as delegate to the American Hospital Association to support policy at a federal level.

“It has been my privilege over the last few years to work directly with WSHA and other healthcare leaders across the State to impact quality of care and influence health policy,” said Martin. “I have enjoyed developing relationships with smart, dedicated, talented leaders with a shared vision to build a healthy future in Washington State and the communities they serve.”

Grays Harbor PUD student awarded WPUDA Educational Scholarship

Abigail Kay, daughter of Grays Harbor PUD System Engineering Supervisor Dan Kay, has been awarded the Washington Public Utility District Association (WPUDA) Educational Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the child or dependent of a WPUDA utility member who is a “well-rounded student that demonstrates scholastic ability, community involvement, and thoughtful consideration of the services provided by PUDs.”

“I am so grateful to WPDUA for this great honor and to the Grays Harbor PUD for supporting my application,” said Kay. “I’d also like to thank my parents and teachers who have been so supportive, especially during this uncertain time.”

Kay, a senior at WF West High School in Chehalis, hopes to begin her college education next fall at the University of California, Berkeley or Stanford, where she plans to study molecular genetics. She has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and has served as a page for the Washington State Senate, volunteers for the Chehalis Foundation and the United Way of Lewis County.

Applications open for new round of state Working Washington business grants

Small businesses struggling to survive the impact of COVID-19 can apply now for up to $20,000 in a new round of $50 million in state Working Washington grants. Priority is focused on businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 and those most impacted by the recent public health measures, as well as businesses in sectors that have experienced significant, cumulative impacts. Examples include full-service restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys and music and event venues.

Information and applications for this third round of Working Washington Business Grants are available through an online portal on the Washington State Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.wa.gov/bizgrants. Commerce encourages businesses to apply by Dec. 11.

“We know this pandemic is taking an economic toll,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “While this is a significant relief effort, I can’t say that it will help everyone. We continue working together with legislators, state agencies and partners to secure more support to see us through this surge and into the longer term recovery ahead.”

The grants are funded by CARES Act dollars and must be distributed by the state before Dec. 30. Commerce Director Lisa Brown said that leaves only a small window of time to process applications and distribute funds. The agency is launching a “10 Days of Biz Grants” push on social media and with local partners to get the word out to business owners who are understandably overwhelmed managing the added demands of their day-to-day operations.

Grants can be used only to cover expenses or costs incurred due to COVID-19 and that were necessary to continue business operations.

Certain nonprofits may also be eligible if they have a primary business activity that falls into a similar high-impact category, for example a nonprofit full-service restaurant or nonprofit music venue.

The online application portal is open at www.commerce.wa.gov/bizgrants. Additional information about eligibility and prioritization is also posted there.

All applications received by Dec. 11 will be prioritized.