SHELTON, WA – Ever since she started at Mason Health in January 2020, Head Chef and Culinary & Nutrition Services Manager Ashlee Johnson has exhibited kindness, positivity and an eagerness to collaborate across the District. Johnson’s welcoming and supportive attitude has made her a role model for both her staff members and young students around the community who have enjoyed hearing about her life experiences at presentations at the schools. For these reasons, Johnson has been named and selected by her peers as the Mason Health November 2024 Employee of the Month.

Johnson has always been interested in the service industry. A Shelton native for more than 30 years, Johnson went straight to work after attending schools in the Pioneer and Shelton school districts as an overnight medicine technician at Maple Glen Senior Living. She then worked as a certified nursing assistant at several local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Later, she provided in-home care for a single patient. After that patient passed away, she wanted a break from health care and entered the restaurant industry, eventually working her way up to sous chef for the McMenamins restaurant chain, under the tutelage of Chef Jeremy Glenn.

“At every job I have had, I have learned something,” she said. “The restaurant industry taught me how to be a good worker. Being a CNA is what taught me to be adaptable. It’s always been a passion of mine, to serve others.”

To Johnson, working at Mason Health in her hometown felt like the best of both the restaurant and the health care worlds. She started as a part-time cook in January 2020 and stepped into a leadership role in September 2022.

“It has been an honor to work here and serve our community and build such a solid foundation,” she said. “I am fully committed to doing my best to support the mission, vision, and values at Mason Health.”

Since leading the department, Johnson has been integral in bringing healthy, fresh and local food options to the Mason Health Bistro. She is a member of Mason Health’s Green Team and has also collaborated with Blue Zones Mason County to ensure all Mason Health patients have nourishing, healthy food choices, connecting to Blue Zones’ wider mission to help Mason County residents live longer, healthier lives. Johnson is also passionate about working with young people and has sought out partnerships with CHOICE High School.

“Ashlee is the perfect blend of collaboration and kindness,” said Johnson’s Employee of the Month nominator Yvonne Smith, Quality Specialist. “Her compassion for the patients, staff, and community is tip top. She always presents herself with a welcoming, cheery and positive vibe which reflects her own personal integrity and very much supports the mission of Mason Health to create a United Community. She brings a calm head, kind heart and problem-solving angle to many and varied challenges.”

When not working, Johnson plays disc golf for local, state and national teams, and enjoys spending time with her family.

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 one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards and the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. 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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