SHELTON, WA – Mason General Hospital Foundation is pleased to welcome to the board its newest member, Laurie Brown.

Brown moved to Shelton with her husband in March 2020 and brings to the board an enthusiasm for this community and an extensive background in health care, as the former Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Experience Officer for St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.

Prior to moving to Mason County, Brown had been visiting here recreationally since 1985, after her parents moved to the area. She grew up in the South Sound region and graduated from Federal Way High School in 1978.

She became interested in health care after volunteering in high school at a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities. She went on to graduate from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1983 and later obtained her master’s degree from the University of Washington in 2001.

Brown started at St. Joseph Medical Center as a nurse in 1985 in the Medical-Surgical-Pediatrics Unit and worked her way up to eventually becoming the Chief Nursing Officer. She retired in November 2019 as the Chief Experience Officer, working to improve patient experiences.

A lover of all things water, Brown initially wanted to become a marine biologist before discovering that she enjoyed helping people.

Brown has received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Washington-Tacoma and served as president of the Northwest Organization of Nurse Leaders, a role in which she received an Excellence in Advocacy Award.

She also served as chair of the Regional Hospital for Respiratory and Complex Care Hospital in Burien and on the Washington State Hospital Association Quality and Patient Safety Committee, where she met Mason Health CEO Eric Moll.

“Working in health care is my roots,” she said. “I love the idea of being associated with Mason Health. My father received excellent care here when he needed it. We were always very pleased with his care here. I am excited to learn more about Mason Health and Mason County.”

She’s come full circle in a few ways: Having attended OysterFest since 1987, she now is Skookum Rotary’s Public Image Chair and is working behind-the-scenes at the event.

She also joined the board for Exceptional Foresters, Inc., a nonprofit that works to provide residential and vocational services to people with disabilities.

When she is not spending time getting to know her new community, she enjoys spending time with her family on the water. She has two adult children living in Tacoma and one in Burien.

Mason General Hospital Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No.1 by enhancing the quality of health care enjoyed by patients of Mason County. MGHF provides financial support to Mason Health.

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