County commissioners appoint three new BOH members

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially appointed three applicants for the expanded Board of Health (BOH) during the commissioners’ meeting on September 13.

The three appointees will fill up the three remaining healthcare and community members' posts or the "citizen seats" in the BOH. Each of them will serve a three-year term until September 13, 2025.

For Category 1, or the representative of public health, health care facilities, and providers, the BOCC appointed Beth Harvey, a local pediatrician who grew up in Olympia. Harvey has over 25 years of advocacy and policy work in the public health industry.

The BOCC appointed community-based provider Maria Williams for Category 2 to represent public health consumers. Williams has a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in counseling psychology and addiction.

To represent other community stakeholders, the BOCC appointed Lynn Nelson for Category 3 of the BOH. Nelson is a registered nurse and has served in various community-based organizations, including the National Association of School Nurses.

In an August 25 meeting, Commissioner Tye Menser disclosed that seven applicants vied for the three remaining healthcare and community members' posts within the board.

Legislation this year (RCW 70.05.030 and WAC 246-90) obligated the county to grow the board to eight members, including the three elected county commissioners and a city-elected official.

The post for the city elected official will rotate every two years from Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm. Councilmember Robin Vazquez of Lacey is the first elected official to hold the city seat.

Thurston Emergency Services Director Kurt Hardin said staff had already followed up with the American Indian Health Commission of Washington State for its appointee, who will be the tribal representative.