SHELTON, WA – After more than 33 years of exemplary service and commitment to the local community as a commissioner for Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, Don Wilson announced his retirement at a November meeting of the public hospital district. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners appointed Don Welander to fill Wilson’s seat. Public Hospital District No. 1 is the governing body for Mason Health, which includes Mason General Hospital, Mason Clinic and Mason Clinic – Hoodsport Primary Care. Mason Health’s leadership proudly welcomes Welander and thanks Wilson for his service.

“It is with gratitude that I announce the retirement of Don Wilson from our public hospital district board,” said Public Hospital District No. 1 Superintendent & Mason Health Chief Executive Officer Eric Moll. “Don Wilson has been the backbone of Mason Health having served as a commissioner for over 33 years. Don’s leadership and service has been widely recognized over the years, having received the prestigious Flame Award from Mason General Hospital Foundation and the Health Care Champion Award from the Mason Thurston Medical Society.”

The board has appointed Wilson to serve on the finance and facility committees where his experience will be invaluable to us going forward.

“Commissioner Wilson one of our most treasured community assets,” said Board President Darrin Moody. “Don is leaving Mason Health in a very good position and he will be sorely missed.”

Welander has been a lifelong resident of Mason County, graduating from Shelton High School. Welander is married to Lisa Welander, a newly elected Mason General Hospital Foundation board member, and they have two grown sons that currently reside in Shelton. Welander worked 38 years for Safeway in various capacities, retiring as a director in 2015. He worked in many areas of Washington state as well as California, all the while residing in Shelton.

Shortly after retiring from Safeway, Welander went to work for the Shelton School District. He taught business, marketing and financial math at CHOICE High School before accepting the position as the District’s Director of Career Connected Learning. Welander worked with Career and Technical Education and was instrumental in the creation of the Academies at Shelton High School.

“We could not ask for a better successor for Don Wilson,” Moody said. “Don Welander is truly the nicest person and a stellar community volunteer. His volunteer service, just to name a few of many, includes Oysterfest and the Shelton School District. All that he has achieved is more than most people are able to accomplish in a lifetime. We are truly fortunate to have him join our leadership team.”

Welander said he is honored to be selected to serve as one of Mason Health’s trustees.

“As a lifelong resident of Mason County, I have admired the work and care that our citizens receive through Mason Health,” Welander said. “I am excited to join the District’s leadership team and I look forward to learning more about Mason Health as well as serving the community from a different perspective.”

Welander has been involved in many civic organizations and currently serves as Skookum Rotary Foundation President and is a trustee of South Sound YMCA. Welander was awarded the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 2021.

“Mr. Welander is deeply committed to this community having served in a variety of civic leadership capacities over the years,” Moll said. “It is this deep commitment to the people of Mason County that has created a strong board culture of service and support. I am very confident Mr. Welander will be a great addition to the Board.”

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Environmental Excellence Awards. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masongeneral.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.

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