SHELTON, WA – Mason Health is proud to welcome Kevin Guandiquez, BSN, RN, as the new Emergency Department (ED) Supervisor, joining the organization on Jan. 26. His arrival coincides with the rollout of a department‑wide strategic initiative focused on elevating the Emergency Department patient experience through communication, presence, and a renewed culture of compassion.

Guandiquez brings a diverse background in emergency nursing and leadership, having served in large hospital systems, including at St. Michael’s Medical Center, as both a traveler nurse and ED charge nurse. Originally from Texas, he earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Concordia University in Austin and holds a degree in nutrition from Texas A&M University. Though his early path pointed toward medical school, he found his professional calling in nursing.

“I always knew I wanted to be in health care, but I wasn’t sure which field,” Guandiquez said. “What ended up resonating with me most was being able to make an immediate difference for people. Emergency care allows you do that every single day.”

Guandiquez and his wife moved to Washington through travel nursing and knew they had found their long‑term home.

“At Mason Health, I saw a unique opportunity, not just to lead, but to have a meaningful impact,” he said. “In smaller communities, you can see the difference you make. My goal is to be visible, supportive, and present with the team. That’s how culture changes, by showing up and working alongside people.”

The Emergency Department wants to enhance patient satisfaction, improve flow and length‑of‑stay experiences, and rebuild community trust in the emergency care environment through clear communication, active listening, and compassionate service.

Christina Chavez, Emergency Department Manager, has been with Mason Health for 21 years and has witnessed an evolving landscape of emergency nursing.

“Nursing has changed so much, and it’s never going back to the way it was,” Chavez said. “It’s harder now — our patients are sicker, wait times are longer, and the toll on staff is real. We also have a strong, caring team. We listen to what our patients need and helping our team stay positive and engaged.”

Chavez emphasizes that many of the ED’s most important improvements begin with simple, consistent communication: making rounds, listening deeply, and ensuring every patient feels acknowledged.

“Sometimes it starts with something as basic as asking, ‘What can I get you while you’re waiting?’” she said. “Patients need to feel heard. They need to know we’re here with them, not separate from them.”

As part of the initiative, Chavez and Guandiquez meet regularly with physicians and Mason Health CEO Eric Moll to review patient satisfaction surveys and data from safety reports, finding opportunities for improvement. They will also be conducting routine rounds on the clinical floor and in the ED lobby to model the communication standards they expect from the team.

Chavez, who was raised in the Shelton community, says the work is personal.

“I want to know that the work I’m doing is helping the community I love,” she said. “I want people to feel safe and heard when they come here. Nobody should ever feel forgotten. We have the tools, we have the passion, and we have the team. Now, we’re bringing it all together.”

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. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Lori Brady, Secretary, and Pamela Schlauderaff, Trustee. 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, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award and the 2025 Emerald 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.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.

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