Grateful Stories

Linda Shaw’s roots with Washington Health System started at a young age. Growing up on a dairy farm in Washington County, Linda always knew what she wanted to be when she grew up: a nurse. At 18, she started Washington Hospital’s School of Nursing program and graduated two years later in 1972.

Janis Chico is extraordinary! No, she hasn’t broken the internet, time-traveled, or even climbed Mount Everest. But what she has done in the world of philanthropy is a truly remarkable feat – she has annually supported the Washington Health System Foundation for more than 30 consecutive years!

Determined. Independent. Spunky. Mildred “Smitty” Smith was an organized, no-nonsense nurse from the Old School. . . and so much more.

Drive around Washington enough, and you’ll spot Joseph “Dusty” Hopkins. He and his wife, Sherri, hang flags and stand at salute to honor veterans and law enforcement officers as often as possible. A couple of years ago, this patriotism cost Dusty. He was taking down a flag when he twisted his right knee.

When Reagan Bork turned 2 years old, her parents, Ali and Grant, were finally able to put a name to the condition that had affected her since birth: GRIN disorder.

For the past five years, Robert Grewe was accustomed to pushing his own pain aside to help others. But when his daily knee pain started getting in the way of his jobs, he knew it was time to do something.