The Olympic Medical Center board of commissioners has appointed Penney Sanders, Ph.D., to the vacancy created by the resignation of Phyllis Bernard on Jan. 3.

Sanders, who has lived in Port Angeles for about 20 years, is a certified professional guardian and owner of Compass Advocate Services, which provides support, advocacy and other services to assist older adults and special needs populations. She earned a doctorate in organizational theory at the University of Alberta and certification as a professional guardian and conservator (CPGC) from the University of Washington.

She was appointed in a 6-0 vote last Wednesday.

Bernard’s term ran through Dec. 31, 2027. However, the seat will be on the general election ballot this year to fill the remainder of the unexpired term.

Board president Ann Henninger noted commissioners at their Feb. 5 meeting voted to abolish commissioner subdistricts within Clallam County and make all seats at-large positions.

Doing so means candidates will not be limited to running for a commissioner seat in the geographical area where they reside.

Bernard’s at-large seat, the only one on the board, became Position 7 and is now Sanders’ seat.

“We need to build on where we’re strong and work on where we’re weak,” Sanders said in her interview with the board, with OMC’s speciality services an area that needs particular attention.

Sanders was among five candidates for the seat. The others were Tara B. Coffin, Ph.D., Mark Gaskill, Regina McGovern, M.D., and Michael Sager.

The board interviewed each candidate for 15 minutes then met in executive session for about 40 minutes to deliberate — extending the scheduled 25 minutes for discussion because the decision had been so difficult, commissioner John Nutter said.

“This is my 15th year on the board, and I’ve been through this process multiple times, and what we were presented with today was truly outstanding,” Nutter said.

Sanders was administered the oath of office and immediately took her seat.

This was the third time Sanders had applied to be appointed to the board of commissioners.

“I’m committed to health care in this community,” she said. “And I don’t get my feelings hurt when somebody tells me ‘no.’”

The board will repeat the appointment process in about six months when Nutter resigns. He is taking a job in finance with the Washington State Hospital Association, where he will work with former OMC CEO Eric Lewis, who is the advocacy organization’s chief financial officer.

Nutter said his new position will create potential conflicts with his role on the OMC board.