NEW HIRES

• Sara Woodruff is the newest physician assistant at Prosser Urology Center at Prosser Memorial Health. She has a clinical background in urology and experience in women’s health and has provided care in both clinic and hospital settings. She will provide urological evaluations and consultations, non-surgical kidney stone management and more. Before joining Prosser Memorial Health, Woodruff was a physician assistant with Kadlec Associated Physicians for Women in Richland, and she previously held positions with MultiCare Capital Urology in Olympia and Lourdes Health Urology in Pasco. She earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies with honors from Touro University Nevada and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has been certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants since 2008 and has held a Washington state physician assistant license since 2014.

• Alex Stone joined the Spine Center team at Prosser Memorial Health, bringing extensive experience in neurosurgery, spine care, pain management, patient education and advanced practice provider leadership. She has worked as a physician assistant in neurosurgery since 2019, providing new patient spine consultations, evaluating and managing patients with head and spine injuries, caring for postoperative patients and more. At the Spine Center, she will provide spine consultations, neck and back evaluations, postoperative follow-up, head and spine injury follow-up, treatment planning and specialist referrals, and patient education and support. Stone earned master’s degrees in physician assistant studies and public health from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

• Vasthi Arredondo has joined Amaki Law as a bilingual attorney. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis, majoring in political science and women and gender studies, and earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law. While in law school, Arredondo was selected for the Washington State Association for Justice Fellowship Program, where she gained direct exposure to the work of trial attorneys practicing plaintiff-side civil litigation.

• Dr. Anthony Romero has joined Lourdes Behavioral Health in Pasco as a psychiatrist. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, then completed his psychiatry internship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda and a general psychiatry residency at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. Romero is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has held medical licenses in Virginia and South Carolina. His professional background includes serving as an embedded staff psychiatrist at the Naval Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and as force psychiatrist for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Submarine Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he provided direct psychiatric care, supported multidisciplinary behavioral health teams and advised military leaders on mental health care, policy and treatment coordination for adult populations.

• Yesenia Rodriguez has joined Heritage University as director of sponsored programs. Her role is to identify funding opportunities through federal agencies, state programs, foundations and corporations that support Heritage, and she will oversee post-award compliance and collaborate with administrators and faculty who lead federal, state or private grants. Rodriguez has a doctorate in educational leadership from Washington State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Heritage University and a bachelor’s degree in administrative office management from Central Washington University.

• Dr. Shawn Summers has joined the Prosser Orthopedic Center team as a surgical podiatrist. He brings more than 12 years of experience in podiatric medicine and surgery, providing comprehensive care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, including fractures, sprains, heel and arch pain, Achilles tendon injuries, arthritis, wounds and infections, diabetic foot concerns and ingrown toenails. His surgical and clinical services include custom foot orthotics, steroid injections, minimally invasive surgery, bunion and hammertoe correction, flatfoot reconstruction and foot and ankle fracture surgery. Since 2013, he has practiced in Yakima. He earned a doctorate in podiatric medicine and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Des Moines University and completed a podiatric medicine and surgery residency at The Kingston Hospital in New York. He is board certified in reconstructive foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

• Sam Pegg has joined Gesa Investment Services as a wealth advisor, where he will help members across the Spokane and Tri-Cities areas find non-deposit investment options suited to their financial goals. Pegg works out of Gesa Credit Union’s branch on East 29th Avenue in Spokane and meets with members virtually throughout the region, allowing members in Kennewick or Richland to consult with him remotely. Offering securities, insurance and advisory services through LPL Financial, he assists members in evaluating investment alternatives beyond traditional deposit accounts. Gesa Investment Services provides retirement planning, life insurance and investment management for members, and Pegg’s addition expands the team’s in-person presence in Spokane while extending virtual access across Eastern Washington.

• Dr. Dennis L. Su is a new board-certified vascular surgeon who will lead the newly established Good Shepherd Vascular Surgery clinic in Hermiston, part of Good Shepherd Health Care System. He is fellowship-trained and has more than 15 years of experience in vascular and endovascular surgery, providing patients throughout the region with access to comprehensive vascular care close to home. Su earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed a general surgery residency and chief residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York. He then completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, within the division of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. Su is certified in vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery and has served on the University of Washington Department of Surgery clinical faculty for more than a decade.

• Dr. Mitchell Cohen is a new gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston. He is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology and brings more than 30 years of experience. Cohen specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the digestive system, including disorders of the esophagus, stomach, intestines and more. He earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, completed an internal medicine residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a Stanford University-affiliated teaching hospital, and went on to a clinical gastroenterology fellowship at the University of New Mexico. He also serves as a clinical associate professor of medicine at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and a clinical assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. As medical and program director of the Good Shepherd Digestive Health Center, Cohen will help lead the continued growth of gastroenterology services in the region.

PROMOTIONS

• Krysten Mabe has been appointed human resources director for the city of Richland, effective Aug. 19. Mabe has served the city for six years, most recently as human resources supervisor, and brings more than 20 years of human resources experience in employee and labor relations, leadership development, benefits administration, compensation, recruitment and organizational development. She joined the city in 2020 as an HR specialist and advanced through roles including HR generalist and HR supervisor, and in her new position will supervise the HR team, advise city leaders, support strategic planning and oversee key HR programs, reporting to the city manager as a member of the executive leadership team. Mabe previously worked in human resources at Providence Health & Services, Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Baker Boyer Bank. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Washington State University.

• Afton Dunham has been named director of the Wound & Infusion Care Center at Prosser Memorial Health. In her new role, Dunham will oversee the center’s clinical operations and work closely with its multidisciplinary team to provide personalized treatment and support for patients with acute and chronic wounds, as well as those receiving infusion services. Dunham is a certified nurse practitioner, who provides general surgical and wound care services at Prosser Memorial Health; her certifications include advanced trauma life support, advanced cardiovascular life support, basic life support, pediatric advanced life support and wound care certification. She will continue serving patients in her current role as an advanced registered nurse practitioner with Prosser General Surgery Center. In her leadership role, Dunham will focus on advancing high-quality, coordinated care while supporting the continued growth of wound care, infusion and hyperbaric services at Prosser Memorial Health.

BOARDS

• Dawn Sileo is the new board president for the 2026-27 term at The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia in Kennewick. She is executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nuclear officer at Energy Northwest and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience focused on developing strong teams and building capable organizations. A longtime member of the nuclear industry, she recently returned to the Tri-Cities and is eager to invest in the community. As board president, she will help guide the organization’s strategy and growth as it continues expanding literacy programs across the Mid-Columbia.

AWARDS & HONORS

• Shelia Tomlinson, an eighth-grade math and science teacher at Ochoa Middle School in the Pasco School District, has received the 2025-26 Washington Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Mona Bailey Outstanding Teacher Award, one of the state’s highest honors recognizing educators who inspire students in STEM fields. The award recognizes middle and high school teachers across Washington who demonstrate outstanding leadership, dedication to MESA students and a commitment to providing engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences. Tomlinson will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a commemorative plaque. She has dedicated extensive time to mentoring students, preparing them for MESA competitions and creating opportunities for them to discover a passion for math and science.

• Angie Jarvis, an English teacher at Chiawana High School in the Pasco School District, has been named a 2026 Mona Bailey Outstanding MESA Teacher Award recipient by Washington MESA, an honor recognizing educators whose leadership and dedication make a meaningful difference for MESA students and their communities. A National Board certified English teacher, Jarvis has worked to integrate STEM experiences into her English classroom through project-based learning, an approach that allows students to strengthen communication, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills while making connections between English and STEM concepts. Jarvis also dedicates additional time to mentoring students, connecting them with hands-on experiences in mathematics and science, and helping prepare and accompany students to MESA competitions. Washington MESA recognized her specifically for her advocacy and support of students and the lasting impact of her mentorship and leadership. Jarvis will receive a $1,000 stipend in recognition of her work with students.

• Trios Health has received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines - Stroke bronze quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive timely, evidence-based treatment. The recognition is based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines designed to help save lives and reduce disability. Participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating a commitment to quality stroke care, including providing education to help patients manage recovery and ongoing health at home.

• Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland has received the Practice Greenhealth Champion Award for its environmental efforts. Practice Greenhealth is dedicated to environmental sustainability in healthcare. Kadlec’s recent environmental work has included reducing energy use by nearly 40% through LED lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors and improved heating and air conditioning systems; cutting nitrous oxide use in anesthesia by nearly 70%, lowering greenhouse gas emissions from clinical operations; and improving its recycling programs. Kadlec is an affiliate of Providence, which has pledged to be carbon negative by 2030.

• Bob Fix of Fulcrum Wealth Management Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, has become an Ameriprise Financial private wealth advisor. Fix, who has been with the company for nearly 10 years and has an office in Kennewick, is among the 24% of roughly 10,000 Ameriprise financial advisors nationwide to achieve this status. Ameriprise private wealth advisors provide personalized client service and meet the complex and unique financial needs of their clients; to become eligible, advisors must be experienced in providing a comprehensive approach to financial planning and advice, complete specialized training and achieve exceptional business results.

• Jim Mather, longtime director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been selected to receive the American Meteorological Society’s Cleveland Abbe Award for Distinguished Service to the Atmospheric and Related Sciences, an honor for distinguished service to atmospheric science. The award, which recognizes activities that have materially contributed to the progress of atmospheric science or its application to social, economic or humanitarian welfare, will be presented at the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting in Denver in January 2027. Mather was additionally elected as a 2027 American Meteorological Society Fellow for his outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrological sciences over a substantial period of years. Mather led the ARM facility since 2007 and is retiring from PNNL after 25 years.

CERTIFICATION

• Kena Chase, market chief nursing officer for Lourdes Health and Trios Health, has earned the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice designation from the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. The certification recognizes nurse leaders who demonstrate advanced knowledge, strategic leadership and a commitment to excellence in executive nursing practice. Chase provides nursing leadership across the Lourdes Health and Trios Health market, supporting clinical teams, high-quality patient care and shared best practices across the organization.

DONATIONS

• Parishioners at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Pasco donated more than 11,000 pounds of hygiene items, diapers, clothing and food to assist Spokane fire victims after Pastor Theo Hwande asked the congregation for support. The response resulted in 44 pallets of donated goods and the challenge of transporting them to Spokane. St. Pat’s business manager, Raul Ochoa, contacted Aurelio Meza of St. Vincent de Paul. Meza connected Ochoa with Second Harvest Pasco, which transported the pallets to Spokane, allowing the donations to reach fire victims.

• Nearly 200 children in Benton and Franklin counties will receive new shoes for the upcoming school year through the Kicks 4 Hope fundraiser. The campaign was created by the Hanford Vit Plant’s Area Safety Team in partnership with the Support, Advocacy, and Resource Center, or SARC, and raised $8,000 to provide footwear for elementary and middle school students. Supported by donations from vit plant employees, Area Safety Team members bought shoes based on size needs provided by SARC, and Bechtel contributed an additional $2,500 to fund further footwear needs throughout the year. The shoes were delivered to SARC for distribution to families before the start of the school year.

• Marathon Pipe Line LLC awarded Franklin Fire District 3 a $2,100 grant through the company’s Marathon Community Investment Program. Marathon Pipe Line owns and operates a pipeline that traverses the fire district. The grant is aimed at expanding the district’s Unmanned Aircraft System program with video monitoring screens that can be used in the Incident Command Post to view real-time drone video and thermal imaging during fire and search-and-rescue incidents.

• The Wildhorse Foundation awarded $447,230 to nonprofits throughout Washington and Oregon, including some from the Tri-Cities:

• Columbia Basin Veterans Center in Pasco, $3,000 for Connecting Veterans to Health Housing and Hope.
• Grace Clinic in Kennewick, $29,500 for Pathways to Care to help 500 new Tri-Cities patients access healthcare over the next 12 months.
• Hanford Drama Boosters in Richland, $12,000 for new curtains for the Hanford High auditorium.
• United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties in Kennewick, $10,000 for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
• The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation established the fund to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community.