October 29, 2024 – The Board of the North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) regrettably announces the resignation of Executive Director Valerie Eliasen, effective Nov 1, 2024, due to personal health reasons. Mrs. Eliasen suffers from a complicated combination of degenerative spinal and joint conditions, including neuroinflammatory Adhesive Arachnoiditis in the lining of the spinal cord. Ms. Eliasen has been the Executive Director since June of 2019.
“I am extremely proud of the work that we have accomplished for the community over the last five and a half years,” said Valerie Eliasen, outgoing Executive Director. “Unfortunately, with recent progression in my conditions, it is time to prioritize my health and family.”
Eliasen has been instrumental in shepherding such important NSHCF actions for the North Shore community as the Oral Health Task Force, the Healthcare Workforce Solutions Project, the COVID-19 Medical Response Fund, and the implementation of the Foundation’s first strategic plan. Current critical projects under her leadership include the Restorative Justice & Truancy Solutions Initiative and the newly adopted Early Childhood Services project. Eliasen was instrumental in the Foundation’s rebranding and new modern website and newsletter, fundraising events such as the Taste of the Trail Picnic Adventure in June and Golf for the Good NSHCF Weekend at Superior National in the fall, and countless community programs made possible through our grants.
“We thank her for effective leadership and the incredible energy she has given to the North Shore Health Care Foundation,” said Anna Cariad-Barrett, NSHCF Vice President. “During Covid, her guidance and focus were critical to filling gaps and identifying community needs.”
Her numerous contributions, strong level of community engagement and positive focus for all on the North Shore will be recognized at a special event to be announced at a future date.A transition plan is being instituted to ensure the important work of the Foundation, and its mission and vision for our North Shore community continues going forward with “business as usual. Foundation support of incubated programs and community grants outreach will continue during this transition.
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Contact(s): Anna Cariad-Barrett, Vice President – North Shore Health Care Foundation, annacariadbarrett@gmail.com
Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Member Board of Directors, debvanv@earthlink.net
