The hospital community tragically
lost an outstanding WSHA staff member, John Nutter, on December 22. John served as Director of Payment Programs and was instrumental in the success of the Hospital Safety Net Assessment Programs and was deeply knowledgeable about all-things-Medicaid. John was kind, funny, earnest, smart, and impactful. Many of us had the privilege of knowing John for years during his time as a staff member in the finance department at Olympic Medical Center and then as an elected Commissioner at OMC. While at OMC, he joined multiple trips to Washington D.C. and Olympia, strongly advocating for his hospital and community.
After knowing John for many years, we were so excited he came to work at WSHA. His work made a material difference to many, many Washingtonians and their ability to get high quality care. Those most vulnerable – particularly Medicaid enrollees – especially benefited from his dedication, as did the residents of Clallam County.
If you have questions that would have gone to John, please direct them to Jason Hotchkiss, WSHA’s CFO. We, and John, had planned on him working at WSHA for many years to come, and it will take some time to fill the hole he left behind. The WSHA team and many hospital colleagues are shocked by this loss, and the speed in which John’s very recent cancer diagnosis took his life. We ask all our members to please say a prayer / light a candle / wish on a star / admire nature / listen to a meaningful song, or whatever feels appropriate to you, in John’s memory.
Cassie Sauer
WSHA President & CEO