Local professionals Renee and Tom Jensen receive high accolades

Tom Jensen and Renee Jensen

Renee Jensen, CEO of Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma and Tom Jensen, CEO of Grays Harbor Community Hospital were both recently awarded the prestigious Joe Hopkins Memorial Award for outstanding leadership.

The two were recognized by the Washington State Hospital Association for their excellence in serving their communities.

"Through their tireless commitment, their creativity, and their sheer determination, Renee and Tom have ensured that their communities will have health care," said WSHA board chair Gregg Davidson. "The awards committee was unanimous in their desire to see both of them honored. It's always risky to make an exception, but exceptional people deserve to be recognized."

This is the first time in the history of the award that it has recognized two people and equally as interesting is the two are husband and wife. The Joe Hopkins Award is named after the former hospital association chair and hospital administrator who lost his battle with cancer in 1987.

The award was created in honor of Hopkins' outstanding leadership and special qualities of warmth, persistence, insight, hardworking attitude and humor.

Winners are chosen by a committee of past winners who are seeking to recognize those who represent the Hopkins leadership, commitment and spirit.

"It is humbling to receive such a prestigious award and an honor to stand beside an amazing CEO who just happens to be my husband," said Renee Jensen. "We are dedicated to improving health care and making a difference in Grays Harbor. It is truly an honor to share my passion, my work and my family with our community."

"Through their tireless commitment, their creativity and their sheer determination, Renée and Tom have ensured that their communities will have health care," said WSHA board chairman Gregg Davidson. "The awards committee was unanimous in their desire to see both of them recognized."

Renée secured the first USDA loan for hospital construction in Washington State for $19.5 million. In 2013 the $23 million Summit Pacific Medical Center building was completed. Grays Harbor Community Hospital board member Pete Scroggs said of his nomination of Tom Jensen, "Tom has led a financial and structural turnaround of Grays Harbor Community Hospital in just 5 years as CEO. His mix of skills in leadership, finance, and thinking outside the box were exactly what our hospital needed."