Pat Greenstreet has been a leader in nursing throughout her career. After
graduating cum laude with a baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University
of Washington in 1975, Pat worked at Children’s Hospital, quickly working her
way up to a head nurse position. She felt her desire to make a difference for
patients was somewhat limited in that role, and decided to enter law school to
work towards systemic changes in health care. Pat graduated from the University
of Washington School of Law in 1984 and ever since, her career has been one of
advocacy and empowerment for patients. In 1985, Pat was promoted to the position
of partner at the law firm of Chemnick and Moen.
As a lawyer and a nurse, Pat is uniquely able to fight for the rights of the
patients she represents. Many of her clients are newborns who have been injured
during birth.
Pat’s work allows those children and their families to achieve their best
potential, despite the harm they have suffered.
Pat has been a tireless advocate for the needs of the underserved and of women
throughout her career. She served on the Seattle Women’s Commission’s Coalition
on Comparable Worth, fighting for equal pay for equal work for women. Pat made a
lasting impact as an environmental health advocate through the development of
written and audiovisual consumer education materials about reusable versus
disposable diapering materials.
In addition to her work as an attorney, Pat has also volunteered her services to
provide legal aide to those in need. She worked with the Seattle City Attorney’s
office on the Battered Women’s Project serving as an advocate to victims of
domestic violence. Pat also worked as a volunteer attorney representing indigent
disabled persons in Social Security cases through Catholic Community Services.
Pat founded the popular Nurses Law School as a joint project between King County
Nurses Association and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. The event
is held statewide every two years since 1992 in both Seattle and Spokane and
attracts hundreds of nurses each time it is held. For many years, Pat was the
chair of the Nurses’ Law School, an on-going educational event that informs
nurses about legal issues affecting their practice.
With a license to practice both nursing and law, Pat is active in several
professional organizations including Sigma Theta Tau, the American Association
of Nurse Attorneys, American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association,
and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Since 1984, Pat has been an
active member of both King County Nurses Association and the Washington State
Nurses Association. She served on the Governmental Affairs Committee and the
Board of Directors as well as President of the King County Nurses Association.
In addition, Pat represented WSNA on the Task for on Health Care Reform in
1992-93 and the Medical Malpractice Review Committee in 1993-94. She was also a
member of the Legislative Committee and a trustee of the Washington State Nurses
Foundation at WSNA.
Pat is generous in sharing her expertise with others. She is in demand at many
nursing schools, and currently is Clinical Assistant Professor at Seattle
University and at the University of Washington Bothell campus. She also presents
at both legal and nursing seminars.
Pat has been recognized for her achievements by both the nursing and the legal
professions. Seattle Magazine listed Pat as one of the top lawyers of 2005. The
Washington Trial Lawyers Association presented her with the Special President’s
Recognition Award in 1994. That same year, she was awarded the KCNA President’s
Award and in 1988 was recognized by KCNA as Nurse of the Year. Pat was inducted
into Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society upon graduation
from her nursing program.
Pat has been a pioneer in blending the professions of nursing and law. She
points to the training she received and her understanding of the nursing process
as the foundation of her law practice. Her many presentations to nursing
students, continued community involvement, and dedication to bringing justice to
the underserved have influenced and will continue to influence generations of
nurses to come.
Inducted 2006
