Rebecca Hirt Steps Down From EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners
Rebecca Hirt has served as an EvergreenHealth Commissioner for 40 years
KIRKLAND, WA – On July 1, 2024, Rebecca Hirt stepped down from Position #2 on the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. Hirt says she is stepping down to care for her husband of 58 years and spend more time with her family.
Hirt was voted onto the Board by the EvergreenHealth community in 1983 and was sworn in January 1984. Over the last 40 years, she has held multiple leadership roles including Board Chair and Board Secretary. In addition to her leadership roles, Hirt has served on several Board committees, including the Levy Funded and Sponsorship Programs Committee, the Quality and Safety Committee and the Audit, Finance and Compliance Committee.
"I have cherished my time as a member of the EvergreenHealth Board and getting to work with so many groups and individuals, all dedicated to meeting the health needs of our patients and our community," said Hirt. "I look forward to spending more time with my family knowing that our Board, the executive team, physicians and staff will continue to deliver quality care and enhance patient safety."
A decades-long resident of Kirkland, Hirt holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from The Ohio State University. Hirt also worked as a Medical Technologist in the clinical laboratory at EvergreenHealth for 10 years before being voted onto the Board.
During her tenure as a Commissioner, Hirt saw many changes that made EvergreenHealth the award-winning hospital it is today and supported the Halvorson Cancer Center and the partnership between EvergreenHealth and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which later became Fred Hutch Cancer Center. She also was there during the implementation of EvergreenHealth's Multiple Sclerosis Center, Parkinson's Center, as well as primary cares throughout the Eastside community. In the 1980s, Hirt delivered the speech at the groundbreaking of the new Family Maternity Center on EvergreenHealth's Kirkland campus which changed hospital birthing practices, and she advocated for healthy babies to remain with their mothers immediately after birth. Additionally, four of Hirt's grandchildren were born at EvergreenHealth. Another of Hirt's concerns was building a freestanding Hospice Care Center to allow terminally ill patients to die with dignity.
"Over the last 40 years, Rebecca has prioritized enhancing patient safety and supported our organizational commitment to enrich the health and wellness of everyone in our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "On behalf of the Board and everyone at EvergreenHealth, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Commissioner Hirt for her dedication and exceptional service over the last 40 years."
With Hirt's departure, EvergreenHealth is seeking a community member to join the Board of Commissioners. Individuals interested in this important and exciting role and reside in King County Public Hospital District #2, specifically the subdistrict of Kirkland/Kenmore, should apply.
More information about the appointment, qualifications, application requirements and EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners is available on the EvergreenHealth website.
