EPHRATA - Ron Kuhn decided to run for the Grant County Hospital District No. 3 Board of Commissioners at the urging of residents in the community.

He is running for Pos. 2.

"As a retired professional, I have always been interested in serving the many communities I have worked in," Kuhn said.

Kuhn believes he can bring a different perspective to the hospital district. He worked at the National Bank of Commerce, Rainier Bank and Security Pacific Bank for 21 years, spent five years as an operations auditor and crew chief and 15 years as an operations, personnel officer and customer service manager. For 13 years, Kuhn worked as a benefits specialist for Washington state, where he determined people's eligibility for the Basic Health Plan.

From 1984 until retirement from the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1997, Kuhn was a commissioned officer with eight to 15 personnel under his watch. He conducted evaluations, helped personnel with career-development plans and made decisions that affected the port safety office.

"The biggest challenge I feel is getting onboard an already successful, fast-moving train, and making myself useful to both the management of the hospital and community as one of their spokespersons," Kuhn said.

Equipment and buildings at Columbia Basin Hospital need to continue to be updated, which requires private contributions and grants, Kuhn said. A strategic plan should be implemented, he said.

The district should ensure the hospital's skilled and professional staff are retained, Kuhn said.

Making the facility attractive and visible in the community can attract patients, he said. People should know the staff are competent.

"Continue the health fair and get our people involved in the community through organizations, so the community gets to know (and) trust them," Kuhn said.

Funding is needed to keep the facility, equipment, and staff up-to-date, he said. Staffing should be maintained at levels that meet the needs of the community and meet funding limits.

Every aspect of the facility should be reviewed to see where improvements are needed, he said.