Council chooses Ricardo Polintan to fill Valley Medical Center board vacancy

April 2, 2024

The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Ricardo “Rick” Polintan to fill a vacant seat on the Valley Medical Center (Public Hospital District No. 1) Commission.

The Commission was unable to reach a consensus on this position before a mandated 90-day deadline, thus requiring Council to fill the vacancy.

Polintan is the current Board President of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment Washington State, an advocacy organization that works to increase access and participation in electoral and civic affairs by registering, educating and protecting Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. He previously served as Chair of the 11^th District Democrats, and was an organizer for SEIU 1199NW before that.

“Rick brings a strong commitment to quality patient care and to the employees who provide it,” said King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove. “While taking on this important role, I have great confidence he will also reflect the needs and values of the diverse population in South King County.”

“We appreciate the work of King County Council and are very pleased to welcome Rick to our Board,” said Jeannine Erickson Grinnell, CEO of Valley Medical Center.

“I’m pleased to have been appointed by the King County Council to serve as a commissioner to a hospital district that works diligently to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community,” Polintan said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, hospital leadership, labor representation and everyone who makes the operations of the hospital run smoothly. Thank you to King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove for leading what was a very smooth and respectful appointment process.”

Commissioner Polintan will serve until the position is filled by election in 2025.

District No. 1 is the oldest and largest hospital district in Washington, serving more than 600,000 residents in South King County. The District owns and operates Valley Medical Center and among other things, the District has the authority to raise revenue with annual tax levies.

You can learn more about the Hospital District here.