ARMS END OF THE YEAR 2024 NEWSLETTER
Happy Holidays ARMS members!
Thank you for joining us virtually and at the KP Renton facilities for our October luncheon. We hope you enjoyed hearing from. Dr. Raj Sundar on information regarding several state initiatives on the ballot and Dr. Linda Tolbert on updates on KPWA as well as address a few questions from the audience. The event can be watched under Events on our website, WPMGretirees.com. Your responses to our survey will help guide us in improving our format in 2025. Our next ARMS luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 27 so be on the lookout for more information in the coming months and SAVE THE DATE.
From Annie: As many of you know, we, (Ruth and Annie),have officially handed over the reins of ARMS to the ARMS Coordinating Committee (ACC), led by Hugh Straley and a team of amazing and enthusiastic colleagues including Steve Tarnoff, Paul Fletcher, Chris Fordyce, Alan Fine, Mike Wanderer, Suzanne Spencer, Sara Thompson, Al Truscott, Tim Gilmore and John Howe (and us as emeritus members).
From Ruth: Hugh and his colleagues follow in the path of legacy ARMS leaders: Founder Glenn Hartquist, then duo Pieter Vandermeulen and Chuck Wischman. Annie joined me five years ago, initially to help cement our association with Kaiser and WPMG and then as my partner through Covid. Those who know Annie have probably figured out that she has been the force behind most of the improvements we have made in the past five years.
All that being said, it’s been a privilege for us to help ARMS revitalize itself. With the assistance of (the late, lamented) Jeffrey Grice, Elyse VanSteenvoort and Kelly Shaw, we were able to restart hybrid luncheons, update our roster, develop a website and new email address and improve our relationship with the HR department so upcoming retirees are aware of ARMS. There is still more work to be done but we are confident the ACC will continue to move us forward.
Many thanks from both of us and we wish you all the best this holiday season. See you at the next luncheon!
Cheers
Ruth and Annie
Addition to the End of Year note from Annie and Ruth:
I want to thank Ruth Krauss and Annie Iriye for their leadership and contributions over many years for the Association of Retired Medical Staff (ARMS.) They have inspired our new leadership group, The ARMS Coordinating Committee, to pursue a program that will grow our community of retired staff and promote social interaction, learning, and innovation. We are optimistic for our future and invite all members to work with us to make ARMS an important community for everyone.
Hugh Straley