Presenting your WSNA-PAC Board
October 11, 2018 • 8 minutes to read
Your WSNA-PAC Board of Trustees (2017-2019) has worked hard this election season, interviewing candidates for office, meeting to evaluate candidates and the political lay of the land, fundraising and reaching out to other nurses to become more politically educated and involved. But their work extends far beyond elections; your Board also ran rapid-response teams during the legislative session, working to involve other nurses in advocating for WSNA’s priorities.
Your WSNA-PAC Board is a powerhouse of political action for nurses and patients.
WSNA-PAC bylaws allow for 12 trustees, ideally including one for each of the Washington’s 10 congressional districts and two at-large members. Currently, the WSNA-PAC has seven trustees and seeks politically passionate WSNA nurses to apply to join! WSNA is seeking a diverse board that reflects the range of political views held by WSNA members.
Many nurses wonder if they are “knowledgeable enough.” Don’t worry! We provide education and training for all trustees who desire more information on the political process.
The WSNA-PAC meets quarterly in person and more frequently via telephone meetings during active times such as election season.
Ingrid Anderson, BSN, RN
WSNA-PAC Board of Trustees Vice Chair
2nd Congressional District
Ingrid Anderson works in the Emergency Department at Overlake Hospital Medical Center. She specializes as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and is currently enrolled at Gonzaga University in the distance Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program.
“I am devoted to improving my community at work as well as through volunteering in my free time. I serve as the Vice Chair of the WSNA-PAC Board with other esteemed nurses who volunteer to make changes to improve working conditions for nurses, as well as making safer environments for patients. I am driven to promote nurses through legislation, education and mentoring. I am always open to talk to any nurse or aspiring nurse on how we can better serve our communities and make our voices heard. I feel honored to serve all the people of Washington state through these commitments.
I serve on the PAC Board so I can give a voice to nurses. Many people are overwhelmed by politics – this gives me a tool to implement real change. I don’t want to just hope change happens; I want to make change happen. I can have a significant impact on how we deliver care at the bedside by volunteering with WSNA! Nurses are brilliant at problem solving. If we all brought our ideas to the table, we could transform health care as we know it!”
Amy Boultinghouse, BSN, RN
WSNA-PAC Board Trustee
3rd Congressional District
Amy Boultinghouse is a 35-year resident of Cowlitz County, currently living on a small farm in Castle Rock. She works in an ambulatory care unit at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, primarily in endoscopy. She is also part-time nursing faculty at Lower Columbia College.
“I have found being an active member with WSNA has provided me with many learning opportunities. These include practice-based education, personal growth through leadership roles, as well as engaging with state legislators and enhancing my awareness of the impact that activism plays in promoting nursing initiatives.”
John Gustafson, BA, RN, CMSRN
WSNA-PAC Board Trustee
6th Congressional District
John Gustafson works at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he serves as co-chair of the Staffing Committee and as a WSNA Grievance Officer. He is also a member of the WSNA Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare, which guides the association’s labor program.
“There are many opportunities to improve the care a patient receives. As a volunteer, the Washington State Nurses Association has afforded me the opportunity to lean in to the maximum. I have loved attending Nurse Legislative Day and meeting with our state legislators regarding issues that matter to nurses, like safe staffing.
For the price of my daily latte habit, I decided instead to donate to the WSNA-PAC, because nurses’ issues are worthy of my full support and attention. I grew up in the 1960s and my favorite quote by President Kennedy is, ‘One person can make a difference and every person should try.’”
Jan Bussert, BSN, RN
WSNA Board President
WSNA-PAC Board Trustee
7th Congressional District
Jan Bussert has served as the president of WSNA since 2015. Prior to retirement, she practiced nursing in Psych, Long Term Care, PACU, Critical Care, Cardiac Rehab and Ambulatory Care. Past elected offices include WSNA President 1997-2001 and ANA Board of Directors 2000-2003. She joined the WSNA staff from 2007 to 2014, taking on the role of Nurse Organizer.
“Advocating for patient and nurse safety through the legislative process has been a rewarding experience. It makes a difference when we tell our stories about our day, our fatigue, our concerns about our patients when we know we have not had the time to give them everything they needed. I have seen the minds of legislators change after one story. Participating on the WSNA-PAC Board of Trustees has given me the opportunity to actively engage in this process. We support the candidates and legislators who support our patient advocacy issues. The rewards are great when we can influence the legislative process and bring about a positive change in our practice environment.”
Chris Birchem, RN
WSNA-PAC Board of Trustees Chair
8th Congressional District
Chris Birchem is a staff nurse in the Orthopedic unit at Overlake Hospital Medical Center, where he serves as a WSNA Unit Representative. In addition to serving as the Chair of the WSNA-PAC Board, he is also Vice President of the Washington Center for Nursing Board of Directors.
“In order to effectively advocate on behalf our patients, their families, as well as the nursing profession, RNs must unite together to loudly voice concerns where changes are most realistically going to occur – that being in legislation. By supporting the WSNA-PAC, participating on the PAC Board and becoming politically active, I take immense pride that I’m actively committed to making these changes a reality.
Please remember, Union begins with “U” and we can’t Unite without “U” – Be politically active, support your WSNA-PAC and make your voice heard!”
Hilke Faber, MN, RN
WSNA-PAC Board Trustee
9th Congressional District
Hilke Faber was inducted into the WSNA Nursing Hall of Fame in 2018. Her nursing achievements include assisting with passage of the expanded Washington State Nurse Practice Act in 1973, serving as Seattle-King County’s first appointed Nursing Home Ombudsman and founding the nonprofit Washington State Resident Councils. She served on staff at WSNA as education program specialist from 2004 to 2015.
“The opportunity to serve on the WSNA-PAC Board provides a wonderful face-to-face experience to meet the candidates running for state-level office and to learn about their positions on our critical issues affecting the quality of nursing care and the overall health care delivery system. Candidate interviews are a time when we as nurses can personally inform and influence a candidate’s thinking about nursing and health care. A WSNA endorsement is highly valued by candidates as nurses are considered the most trusted profession.”
Judi Lyons, RN
WSNA-PAC Board Trustee
Trustee At Large
Judi Lyons works in the surgery department at Kittitas Valley Healthcare, where she serves as Local Unit secretary. She is also president of the WSNA Kittitas County District. A member of WSNA for more than 40 years, she has served on many cabinets, committees and boards at both the state and national level. She served as WSNA president 1993-1997.
“As past President of WSNA, I saw the importance of political activism. The WSNA-PAC does just that. We have a process to reach out to all candidates who file with the Secretary of State to run for the state legislature or statewide office. We ask them about nursing issues and priorities. We engage them in deeper conversations about their backgrounds, experiences and priorities. The WSNA-PAC evaluates each candidate, makes decisions on who to endorse and supports those who will go to Olympia and advocate for nurses and patients.
It is important to be politically involved because every vote counts. It is the way to have your voice heard.”
The 1st, 4th, 5th and 10th congressional district positions are currently open.