James S. Fitzgerald Joins EvergreenHealth as District General Counsel

KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EvergreenHealth is pleased to announce that James S. Fitzgerald has joined the Kirkland-based health care system as its in-house District General Counsel, effective Sept. 2, 2013.

Fitzgerald, currently the senior member of the Kirkland-based law firm of Livengood, Fitzgerald & Alskog (LFA), has a long-standing history of working with EvergreenHealth. He has served as EvergreenHealth's outside District General Counsel since 2001 and has worked on hospital matters since 1978. In doing so, he's been actively involved in EvergreenHealth's dramatic growth as a preeminent provider of health care services to the Eastside and Puget Sound region.

"Jim brings 35 years of broad legal experience to EvergreenHealth," said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth.  "Equally important, he is well acquainted with our organization, our mission and our history of serving to meet the needs of our community. In addition, Jim is an important member of our community and brings with him a valuable perspective that will continue to support our greater community of patients, families and residents."

In his role as District General Counsel, Fitzgerald will be a part of the senior management team, with overall responsibility for EvergreenHealth's legal affairs and services, including continuing to provide legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners and management. He will also advise and counsel EvergreenHealth in tracking and following the laws and regulations that apply to health care institutions and providers, and will support EvergreenHealth's commitment to providing the best and safest care possible.

"We are very supportive of this great opportunity and transition for Jim," said David Johnston, managing member of LFA.  "His ongoing relationship and understanding of EvergreenHealth and its legal needs will certainly make for a smooth transition. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Jim and EvergreenHealth, and providing counsel to the other great LFA clients that he has represented over his many years with the law firm."

Fitzgerald is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys, the Health Care Law Section of the American Bar Association, the Washington and Oregon State Bar Associations and several other legal associations.  He is a 1978 graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and a 1975 graduate of the University of Washington School of Business.

About EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth, a public hospital district and community-based healthcare organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a neuroscience institute, women's and children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a sleep disorders center and home care services. EvergreenHealth serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with EvergreenHealth Primary Care, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. EvergreenHealth also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the EvergreenHealth Redmond Medical Center. In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.

CONTACTS:

Kay Taylor
Vice President, Marketing, Communications & PR
EvergreenHealth
425.899.2604
ktaylor@evergreenhealth.com

Kristi Clough
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
Kristi@firmani.com

SOURCE EvergreenHealth