December 8, 2018
On Saturday, December 8, 2018 we celebrated the many individuals who collaborate to improve the health of our community including clergy, local nonprofit leaders, faith community nurses and health ministers.
This was our first year recognizing a Community Action Awardee, someone who advocates for health ministry in our community. We were honored to recognized Sue Sharpe, Executive Director of the Chuckanut Health Foundation, for her heartfelt support of Health Ministries Network.
Sue served on the HMN Advisory Board and volunteered her time and energy as HMN transitioned toward becoming a functioning non-profit. Under her guidance as our fiscal agent, the Foundation staff guided our fledgling efforts through the sometimes bewildering process of becoming a nonprofit faith-based network of nurses and health ministers serving Whatcom, Skagit, Islands and San Juan Counties.
Former Director of HMN, Carol Nicolay, presented the award, stating, "It’s been my pleasure this past year to work with such a knowledgeable and compassionate person."
Sue is retiring the end of this year after serving for the last 10 years as executive director of the Chuckanut Health Foundation, formerly St. Luke’s Foundation. Since 1982 the local foundation has invested over $16.5 million to improve individual and community health.
Sue has over 40 years of nonprofit and health care experience. Her career started at St. Joseph Hospital in 1977 where she served in a variety of health care planning and executive positions in Bellingham and Alexandria, Virginia. In the late 90’s she started a private consulting practice focused on community based planning and nonprofit organizational development. She served as the leadership consultant and facilitator for the development of the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Advancement from 2002-2008 before taking her position at the foundation.
Sue has a passion for working with community-based groups that engage diverse stakeholders to promote community health improvements for all and believes that local communities are the best equipped to drive those changes.
Sue is a two-time graduate of Western Washington University (WWU) with BA in Speech Communication and Journalism and an MBA. She presently serves on the WWU Board of Trustees. Sue and Phil Sharpe are celebrating 38 years of marriage on December 20th. They have two grown daughters and just welcomed their first grandchild this year.
Thank you, Sue, for 40 years of caring, support and guidance that has made our community a much better place.
Read about our Clergy Champion and Angel Awardees.