About Us

• Mission Statement
• Board of Trustees
• The Memorial Foundation Annual Report
• How To Find Us

The Board of Trustees of The Memorial Foundation is made up of local leaders who take philanthropy seriously and are committed to investing in the Yakima Valley. Members of the Board set policy, serve as stewards, and make all allocations and financial decisions.

The Memorial Foundation
2007 Board of Trustees

MeetThe Board

Jean Pryor When asked to join The Memorial Foundation board in 2002, Jean Pryor felt honored. "For years, I have admired both the Hospital and the Foundation. The work they do, their forward thinking…I was excited to become a part of their vision." Having served on many boards and in many different communities, Jean brings a unique perspective to the Board - where she serves as treasurer - and to the passionate work she does at Children's Village. "A lot of people might not realize what a special community Yakima is. When a need arises here, it's met. The leaders and members of Yakima possess a "can do" attitude that simply can't be held down." As Children's Village prepares for its ten-year anniversary expansion, Jean will be leading the way. "The services they provide and the need they fill are invaluable to this community. We are a dream come true for thousands of families; I'm so proud to be a part of it."
Bill Wheeler When Bill Wheeler joined The Memorial Foundation Board in 1999, he came with a lot of experience. Bill was serving his sixth, four-year position on the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. "I was just so impressed with all that Memorial has done, and continues to do, for this community…I really wanted to remain a part of it," says the retired president of Dowty Aerospace. In total, Bill has served for 32 years on Memorial boards, with a dedication and commitment that is inspiring. "I find that being a part of the Hospital and the Foundation has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done," he explains. "I truly enjoy the diversity of the board members and am continually amazed at the creativity they use when addressing community issues. Being involved with them all is very, very rewarding." Bill believes that Memorial Hospital and all it does is an important part of what Yakima is, and what it will become. "I'm proud to be a part of it," he says, "and plan to continue being involved in the years to come."
Royal Keith Royal Keith knows serving on both the Memorial Hospital and Memorial Foundation boards provides him the opportunity to participate directly in Yakima's future. Royal notes, "Memorial's staff and volunteers are remarkable - willing to do whatever it takes to assure success. It is an honor to serve alongside this dedicated team." Royal's tenure with Memorial began in 1986. He's participated in Memorial's evolution, watching the hospital grow from a single facility to a full-service outreach institution with off-campus facilities like North Star Lodge, Children's Village, and 'Ohana. As Yakima experiences a time of renewal and growth, Royal is confident Memorial is prepared for the future. "Our community is fortunate to have such a responsive healthcare institution. It makes me feel proud to be part of the Memorial team."
Stan Martinkus When Stan Martinkus joined the board in 1991, Memorial Hospital's 40+ years were beginning to show her age. Renovation was the board's primary focus, planning improvements to prepare Memorial to serve Yakima into the 21st century. Stan feels proud of Memorial's significant impact in our community. "One of the hallmarks of a community hospital is that local people are entrusted with defining healthcare goals for the area," Stan says. "Serving Memorial is one way I can make a difference for Yakima." Stan also serves on the Memorial Foundation board, supporting programs such as children's healthcare programs at Children's Village. Stan believes "Memorial's ability to envision future needs is key to attracting and retaining quality physicians, assuring Memorial's ability to serve Yakima for the next 50 years!"