Kootenai Health trustee races close Friday

COEUR d'ALENE — The deadline to file for three open Kootenai Health board of trustee races is 5 p.m. Friday.

As with most nonpartisan local elections lately, this one has attracted plenty of attention, with six candidates having filed already.

The three positions are held by chair Terence Neff, board secretary Katie Brodie and trustee Jim Eisses. Candidates must declare, but unlike other races, candidates for this one won't declare with the Elections Office.

“The hospital board in this case has the certification power,” county clerk Jim Brannon said. “If someone tries to file with us, they’re probably not going to get it done in time. In this case, the paperwork originates with the hospital district and ends with the hospital district.”

Trustee candidates can pick up candidacy packets at the Elections office, but they will instead file those documents at the Kootenai Health administration office, 2003 Kootenai Health Way in Coeur d’Alene.

In addition, Kootenai Health is requiring candidates to fill out a questionnaire for public consumption.

Neff and Brodie are both running for re-election, but representatives for Eisses told The Press he is not seeking another term.

Kim Anderson, director of marketing and communications for Kootenai Health, said six candidates have expressed interest in running, submitted paperwork and are in the process of being certified.

“A trustee should have the utmost integrity and be free from conflicts,” Anderson said. “A good trustee candidate would have personal and professional experience that would assist with interpreting financial data, understanding health care laws and regulations, and providing reasoned support in complex situations. A good trustee candidate would also have faith in medicine and the science supporting treatment and prevention initiatives.”

In addition to Brodie and Neff, family medicine specialist Dr. Robert McFarland is running, as is Christian Schmalz, operations director for CRH Anesthesia. Retired network engineer Chris Nordstrom is running, as is longtime local Catherine Hoffman.

Anderson stressed that the length of the term — six years — makes the trustee position more of a marathon than a race.

“Trustees will be involved in important decisions about providing access to health care in a variety of ways,” she said. “It will be important for the hospital district’s trustees to be highly engaged, forward thinking, and willing to serve a full six-year term.”

Residents considering a run should contact Kootenai Health associate legal counsel — and, for the purposes of the election, hospital district clerk — Michela Seth at 208-625-4776, or by emailing mseth@kh.org for more information.

Election Day is May 18. The top three vote-getters will earn the three seats.