Hospital Foundation honors three founders

 

January 27, 2016

Hospital

Christine Kackman, Dr. Robert Tulin and Cherry Alice Van Tine were honored at Whitman Community Hospital Foundation’s gala dinner and auction. The three were medical professionals in Colfax, and founders and supporters of the hospital foundation for decades.

Gazette Correspondnet

Dr. Robert Tulin, Cherry Alice Van Tine and Christine Kackman were honored at the Whitman Community Hospital Foundation dinner and auction Saturday evening. The three honorees were founders of the foundation and remained active in the organization and support of the Foundation for more than 20 years. All three served multiple terms on the board of directors.

Dr. Tulin was teaching in Colfax when he met Dr. Ole Slind, who became his mentor. Dr. Tulin left teaching to attend medical school, and after his residency he returned to practice in Colfax. He moved his practice to the hospital campus, where he was joined by other Colfax doctors to form one large practice. He served many terms on the Foundation board.

Van Tine worked for Dr. Tulin and later Whitman Medical Group as a registered nurse until her recent retirement. After many terms on the Foundation board, she was elected to Whitman Hospital and Medical Center’s Board of Commissioners, while her advice and support for the Foundation continue.

Kackman practiced physical therapy in her own practice for many years. The hospital bought her practice, and she worked for the hospital and was manager of the rehabilitation department. During her tenure, the therapy pool was built and began operation, as well as many other improvements and upgrades to her department. Kackman has served many terms on the Foundation board and frequently served as an officer.

Gordon McLean, Whitman Hospital and Medical Center administrator for 14 years during the dramatic turnaround of the hospital’s condition, was quoted when the three were honored. “There was a young Dr. Mellor who came by and was scouting where to settle for a practice. He also had a friend in a Portland residency who might join him. Good things began to happen with Dr. Morper coming to join Dr. Closson and then Dr. Mellor arrived and assumed Dr. Dhillon's practice, to be followed by Dr. Rick Holmes to St. John.”

Dr. Morper recruited Dr. Johnson. In the same wave, Dr. Wiggens, an ENT, and Dr. Graeme French arrived to set up Colfax Clinic. Since that time, Whitman Medical Group doctors have continued to recruit excellent doctors, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners and other staff.

McLean added, “Of course, through this whole transition, Dr. Bob Tulin was our compass. He knew the community, he knew what was needed, and he knew it wouldn't be easy.

“Christine and Cherry Alice have fingerprints, blood, sweat and tears over every risky move the hospital made. They’re a pair of saints, as are so many of the Colfax folks who stepped up when times were uncertain, got the hospital back on track, and like many of you today, keep it going,” he said.

In presenting the honors, Linda Marler, Foundation board president said, “Tonight we are here to honor Dr. Tulin, Chris Kackman and Cherry Alice Van Tine for their leadership and support, starting the foundation and nurturing, supporting and guiding it for over 27 years.”

Each of the honorees recognized other community members who helped start the Foundation, worked to realize the Foundation’s goals, and many of them continue to support the Foundation, and by extension Whitman Hospital and Medical Center.

A reception serving appetizers, champagne, sparkling cider and microbrews started the evening. Just more than one hundred guests enjoyed a delicious five course dinner, featuring an entrée of pork tenderloin stuffed with brie with cherry port sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables, with chocolate carrot cake topped with mascarpone cream for dessert.

In addition to the live auction, the silent auction featured gift certificates from local businesses, art work, jewelry and even two boxes of Bryan Jones’ Penawawa peaches.

A painting donated by the Delbert Moore estate; a water color by Rob Smith, respiratory therapist and artist, and photographs by Carla Danielson of Hooper Crossing Images and Francisco B. Aguilar Photography were purchased.

Live auction items included a barbecue dinner donated by Mark and Robyn Johnson, a French Paris café-style dinner donated by Jon and Li Ochs, and an Italian dinner by Fr. Al Grasher.

Island Tyme, Mark and Cathy Sackmann’s vacation home on Tyee Beach, Camano Island, and a day and night on Keith and Pam Becker’s houseboat on Lake Roosevelt were popular destinations.

O’Danagher’s Hibernian whiskey, Leonetti and Doubleback wines and a wine tour were featured. The package offered by Whitman Medical Group, a winemaker’s dinner with gourmet food and wine pairings with a stay at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, was popular.

Tickets to Cougar men’s basketball games, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament rounds in Spokane and the Team Cup Challenge ice skating in April in Spokane were popular with sports fans.

Colfax High School donated two items. Parents of seniors liked the 20 reserved seats and three reserved parking spots for graduation, and the lucky winner of the Broadway at CHS package received four tickets to next year’s musical and one reserved parking spot at the high school.

Parents and grandparents of younger children bid for the International Harvester pink battery-powered tractor from Jones Truck and Implement, a race car package and a grocery shopping package from Tick Klock Drug.

The favorite item for most auction guests was the purse auction. Five purses containing secret amounts of cash were modeled by men drawn from the audience. Each winning bidder had a choice of the purses, down to the last one. Four purses were furnished by the Foundation, and one purse was a gift of Whitman Hospital employees for the auction.

Butch Booker was the auctioneer, and the Foundation coordinator was Harless Hartman. Francisco Aguilar, assisted by Whitney Aguilar, took candid and posed photographs at the event. Catering was by Days by Design, Donna and Steve Holberg, of Hill-Ray Plaza.

 

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