SHELTON, WA – EVS Technician Patricia “Patty” Ragsdale exemplifies Mason Health’s Vision of providing the best patient-centered care in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the care she delivers through her work in the Environmental Services Department, Ragsdale serves as an on-call Patient Safety Companion, ready at a moment’s notice to speak with and comfort patients in need of support during their most vulnerable moments of time. It is her caring attitude and overwhelming positivity that lead Ragsdale’s peers to name her the March 2022 Employee of the Month for Mason Health.

Ragsdale moved to Shelton in 1975 and attended Shelton High School. She married her high school sweetheart, a millworker at Skookum Lumber for more than 25 years. They have been married 42 years and they raised their three children in Shelton. For 27 years, she worked in housekeeping at Pioneer School District, though she had originally dreamed of working at Mason Health.

“Years ago, when I first decided to work, I came in to apply for a job at Mason General Hospital,” she said. “I happened to get a job at Pioneer first, and for a long time, it was a wonderful experience. I loved being around the kids. When it was time to leave, I considered Mason Health again, but I thought, ‘Who would hire me at my age?’ Mason Health interviewed me and offered me the job the same day. I love it here so much.”

Ragsdale has been with Mason Health for two years, having started right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020. Learning a new job during a pandemic was relatively easy, she said, because she learned new protocols right from the start.

Ragsdale likes to hold multiple jobs: In addition to her work at Pioneer, she waitressed, provided caregiving to adults with disabilities through Exceptional Foresters Inc., owned a local business with her husband for a few years, and served as a volunteer firefighter for District No. 5.

Her time at Mason Health has been no different. After a year in the EVS Department, Ragsdale started to pick up shifts as a Patient Safety Companion. Now, several times a month, she visits with patients and provides them comfort and support.

“The reason I wanted to get into the hospital setting was so I could give myself to patients,” Ragsdale said. “I’ve sat and sang with patients before and after my shift. I love the fact that I get to help people. I’ve helped to prevent two suicides and went on to help a patient later with their hospice care. It’s very rewarding.”

Ragsdale’s nominator, Sean Palmer, Certified Nursing Assistant, noted that her willingness to pick up shifts at a moment’s notice and support patients is admirable.

“She is always giving positive reassurance to patients,” he said. “She’s supportive and I have witnessed her redirect even our extended-stay, easily agitated patient in a manner that keeps them calm and cooperative. Her kindness puts a smile on my face. You can visibly see how much patients appreciate her. When you think of someone who embodies patient-centered care, Ragsdale comes to mind.”

Ragsdale hopes to continue her professional development at Mason Health.

“My supervisors, Laurie Stuart and Trevor Madison are both wonderful — they talk to us and really care about us, as well as staff outside of our department, and they care about patients,” she said. “I feel the same way about Senior Leadership. Everyone always says hi and is very personable. I didn’t know at my age that I could get into a medical field without certification. My goal is to one day work in Registration.”

In her free time, Ragsdale enjoys racing motorbikes, spending time with her family and attending Shelton Christian Church.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is 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 the Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Environmental Excellence Award. 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.

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