EvergreenHealth Monroe Board of Commissioners Welcomes Karen Gahm

Monroe, Wash. – EvergreenHealth Monroe’s Board of Commissioners recently announced that community members have elected Karen Gahm to serve as a member of Snohomish County Public Hospital District No. 1’s five-member board. Her six-year term begins in January 2020.

Gahm is a retired social worker and public servant who has been an active member of the Snohomish County community for 25 years. Originally from Massachusetts, she gained a host of clinical and administrative social work experience before moving to Snohomish County to serve as a health and safety network coordinator. In this role, she worked with a dedicated team to examine youth violence and develop strategies to reduce its occurrence.

She quickly discovered her passion for grassroots community outreach, which she later combined with her administrative expertise when she assumed the role of budget and fiscal manager for Snohomish County Superior Court. Gahm remained in the position for 20 years until her retirement.

“Karen will serve as a valuable asset to the Sky Valley community,” said Alice Cabe, Board Chair. “Her enthusiasm for connecting with community members on a personal level, paired with her professional experience as a public servant, provides her with a unique understanding of our rapidly growing community’s values, needs and challenges.”

Gahm earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Wellesley College and later graduated from Boston College with a Master of Social Work and a post-master’s certificate in social work administration. She currently lives in Fobes Hill with her partner Ron and their dog, and is enjoying semi-retirement by spending time with family, staying active at the YMCA and traveling.

In addition, the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners welcomed David Edwards, J.D. as its newest member. Edwards is a lifelong resident of Public Hospital District No. 2 and brings a wealth of knowledge and community engagement experience, including serving as an EvergreenHealth community advisor since 2015. He was elected to the Board to hold a position previously filled by Kenmore Air President Todd Banks, who was appointed to complete the term of Commissioner Jeannette Greenfield following her 2018 retirement.

The EvergreenHealth Monroe Board of Commissioners is comprised of community members elected by the voters in the district to serve a six-year term. Gahm replaces Tony Balk, who served the Monroe community as a fire commissioner and held a seat on the Monroe City Council for 12 years before being elected to the EvergreenHealth Monroe board in 2014.

Alongside board members – Alice Cabe, Board Chair; Chuck Strub, MD, Board Secretary; Gregory Accetturo and Steve Matuschak – Gahm will provide governance and accountability, collaborating with and offering counsel to organizational leaders. Learn more about the EvergreenHealth Monroe Board of Commissioners.