Starting Thursday, February 5, 2026, Ryan will serve as the WSNA Representative for nurses at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center.

Ryan is a registered nurse with clinical experience and is new to the Washington State Nurses Association, but not new to the advocacy role. Originally from Northern California, he moved to Seattle in 2019 to work at Seattle Children’s Hospital. There, his passion for fairness and equity as it pertained to nurses grew as he observed differences between collective bargaining agreements for RNs in California and Washington. His time on the frontlines of pediatric nursing, combined with supporting colleagues through labor-related initiatives, strengthened his ability to navigate complex workplace challenges. Ryan learned to promote equitable treatment, while most importantly, ensuring nurses’ voices were heard.

Before leaving Seattle Children’s to pursue a Master of Education in Leadership at the University of Washington, Ryan briefly served as a negotiating team member, working in collaboration to analyze pay, PTO incentives, shift differentials, and other contract elements to work in solidarity with the bargaining team and to help secure meaningful improvements for nursing staff.

Ryan embodies a lifelong commitment to fighting for nurses and believes this passion has guided his professional journey, from bedside nursing to leadership roles in union representation. At PeaceHealth United General Medical Center, Ryan is eager to support nurses, advance safe staffing, and work closely with Hospital Staffing Committee members to ensure equitable working conditions and a healthy workplace.

Nurses who wish to raise workplace concerns or request representation are encouraged to contact Ryan at rsilva@wsna.org.