FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 1, 1996

Lowry names Medical Quality Assurance, Sentencing Guidelines members

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Mike Lowry announced the following appointments:

The Medical Quality Assurance Commission regulates the competency and quality of medical professionals licensed to practice medicine and surgery.

M. Estelle Connolly, MD, of Tacoma, is a retired plastic and reconstructive surgeon and has been reappointed to the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. She also serves as a member of the Medical Disciplinary Board. Connolly has worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore City Hospital and Kettering Hospital in Dayton, OH, as well as Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen and St. Joseph, Tacoma General and Allenmore hospitals in Tacoma. She also was a faculty member at West Virginia University as assistant professor of otolaryngology. She also serves on the Pierce County Medical Society, Washington State Medical Society and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Her term expires June 2000.

James M. Garrison Jr., MD, of Seattle, is a retired physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and was reappointed to the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. He most recently was associated with Group Health Cooperative in Seattle and was appointed to a clinical professor position at the University of Washington. He is affiliated with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington State Medical Society, Washington State Obstetrical Association and the Seattle Gynecological Society. He also served on the governing council of Pacific Medical Center. His term expires in June 2000.

Laura L. Roderick, MD, of Olympia, is a practicing physician at Capital Medical Center and is newly appointed to the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. She serves as president of the Thurston-Mason County Medical Society. She has been affiliated with Grays Harbor Community, St. Joseph, Harrison, Centralia and Mason County hospitals. She also belongs to the Washington State Medical Association, American Medical Association, International Anesthesia Research Society, Thurston Community Health Task Force and the Thurston County Disaster Preparedness Committee. Her term expires June 1999.

David W. Williams, MD, of Yakima, was reappointed to the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. He is a physician with the Yakima Valley Internists, and he has been a member of the Washington State Medical Association, American Medical Association, Yakima County Medical Society, American College of Physicians and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. His term expires June 2000.

The Sentencing Guidelines Commission recommends standard sentences for felony offenses, studies sentencing practices across the state, studies the criminal code and makes recommendations for change.

Elizabeth M. Calvin of Seattle has been appointed to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, replacing Dan Fessler, whose term expired. Calvin is a staff attorney for Teamchild, a project to help keep juvenile offenders out of the criminal system. She also has trial experience in state and federal court systems. She is a graduate of Whitworth College and the University of Washington School of Law. Her term expires August 1997.

Chris Jensen of Pasco has been newly appointed to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, representing cities. Jensen is a member of the Pasco City Council, the Ethics Officer Association and national Management Association. He is experienced in law enforcement and has worked with the Safe Schools Task Force and Substance Abuse Coalition. His term expires August 1999.

Greg Nickels of West Seattle has been named to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission representing counties. He currently chairs the Metropolitan King County Council's unincorporated affairs committee. He also serves on the regional transit, transportation, utilities and natural resources, and budget and fiscal committees. He recently was elected chair of the new Seattle/King County Board of Health. Nickels also is vice-chairman of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and chairman of the RTA finance committee. He also serves as a board member on the Seattle/King County Trade Development Alliance and chairs the Transit Committee of the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. His term expires August 1999.

Lois Smith of Port Townsend has been named to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission representing juveniles. Smith currently is the president of the Juvenile Court Administrators Association. She also was a member of the Governor's Council on Youth Family and Justice and the Governor's Juvenile Justice Task Force of 1991. She has been with the Jefferson County Juvenile Court for 10 years. Her term expires August 1999.

Jenny Wieland of Marysville has been named to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission representing victim advocates. She is the program director for Mothers Against Violence in America. She serves on the national advisory board for "National Forum for Survivors" at the Harvard School of Public Health, on the state's "Stop Youth Violence" program through the state's Community, Trade and Economic Development agency, and is a past member of the Snohomish County Prosecutors Advisory Board. She is a member of the Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates, the National Organization for Victim Assistance and the National Victim Center. Her term expires August 1999.

For more information, contact the Governor's Communications Office at 360-753-6790.