SHELTON, WA – The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Thurston-Mason County Medical Society, has named Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics’ CEO Eric Moll as one of its 2019 Health Care Champions. Moll will be presented with the Innovation in Rural Medicine Award at the chamber’s 13^th annual Health Care Champions awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, at the Olympia Country & Golf Club in Olympia.

“Even though this is an individual award, I want to honor the special people and team that makes this recognition possible through the amazing care and work being done every day by our Mason team,” Moll said. “I deeply respect the legacy of past Health Care Champions. They continually inspire me to grow and improve to help our patients, employees and community.”

The Health Care Champion awards were established to recognize heroic acts, steadfast dedication, extraordinary service and professionalism that are seen every day in our community’s medical offices, clinics, hospitals, emergency services and related organizations, according to the Thurston chamber.

Past award winners from Mason County include the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, which was awarded the Community Impact Award at last year’s Health Care Champions ceremony, and longtime Mason County Public Hospital District No. 1 Commissioner Nancy Trucksess, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 after she retired from the board.

The awards committee honored Dr. Mark Schlauderaff of Mason General Hospital’s Olympic Physicians Clinic with the Innovation in Rural Medicine award in 2015.

“Mason is innovative in that we are not afraid to fail in pursuing the improvement care delivery for our patients,” Moll said. “We value learning and improving. This has allowed us continuously to improve our approach to integrated, team-based care.”

Moll joins other 2019 honorees Dr. Lucinda Grande of Pioneer Family Practice in Lacey (Innovative Community Service Award), Dr. Chelsea Unruh of Olympia (Health Care Pioneer Award), and Eileen McKenzie Sullivan with Senior Services of South Sound (Safety Net Award).

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Olympia Country & Golf Club and will include honoree recognition, videos, hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. 

Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at http://thurstonchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/health-care-champions-7129 

MGH&FC is certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. MGH&FC now offers 3D Mammography Services and Virtual Care 24/7.  For more information on 3D mammograms, Virtual Care or to find a health care provider, visit www.MasonGeneral.com.