New Long-Term Patient Care Executive Appointed at Adventist Health Tillamook

Adventist Health Tillamook has appointed Heather Thompson, RN, as their new Patient Care Executive (PCE) on the hospital executive team, replacing interim executive Patricia Stone. Thompson has worked at Adventist Health Tillamook for 22 years in roles spanning both patient care and leadership. Most recently she served as the administrative director of nursing for 12 years under the predecessor for the role, Kathy Saxon, RN, until her recent retirement in January 2022.

Adventist Health Tillamook president Eric Swanson shares, “Heather excelled as a stand-out candidate during the selection process that included national candidates at the top of their field from a wide range of diverse medical institutions with backgrounds in quality, safety, patient experience and a proven track record of empowering and trustworthy leadership.” Swanson continues, “I have worked with Heather for over 22 years. I am extremely proud and honored to appoint her as well as continue to work with her in this new role that I have 100% confidence in her ability to succeed in. Her love for our organization, our community, our mission and Adventist Health is inspiring, and I look forward to seeing her continue to expand in her career as patient care executive.”

Thompson adds, “I’m looking forward to continuing Kathy Saxon’s great work by focusing on improving quality and patient experience by learning from department managers and directors, spending time to understand their barriers and working to make our hospital stand out as a truly exceptional place to receive care in the community.” Thompson previously served as an administrative director since 2010, as well as house nursing supervisor, medical-surgical nurse and an ICU nurse at Adventist Health Tillamook. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from Linfield College, a master’s degree in nursing and a second master’s degree in healthcare administration, both coming from the University of Phoenix.

Learn more about Adventist Health Tillamook’s executive leadership