By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Smiles, laughter and friendly conversations were the norm as Puyallup Tribal Health Authority employees gathered at the Emerald Queen Casino Event Center for Employee Appreciation Day/Recognition Awards on May 29.
The theme of the day was 50 years of care, signifying the opening of PTHA in 1976. Activities included raffles, table trivia, a connections scavenger hunt and a talent show, where employees donned decade specific attire, participating in activities spanning the 1970s through the 2020s.
During lunch, a slideshow of photos was displayed, showing the growth of PTHA since 1976. A timeline photo board was also placed near the stage, giving employees an opportunity to reflect on PTHA’s journey.
Alan Shelton, who worked for the Tribe as a doctor from 1984-2022, said when he first started at PTHA, there were just 13 employees. Now, there are around 300.
Puyallup Tribal Health Authority Executive Director David Tonemah said PTHA staff members are dedicated to meeting the needs of the community and providing the highest level of care to the people they serve.
“As I look at my role as the executive director, I ride on the shoulders of each and every one of you here in this building today and I’m honored to work with you,” Tonemah said to the audience.
During the second half of the day, employees were individually recognized in a longevity awards ceremony in five-year increments spanning five years to 30 years. Abel Eng was named PTHA employee of the year and Phu Le was awarded Salish Cancer Center employee of the year. Dixie Callaham, Gail Hernandez, Annette Lee and Eng were also honored for 30 years of service.
Tonemah said seeing employees laughing, joking and having a great time reminded him of his dad when he would sit in his chair watching his kids doing the same growing up.
“I don’t want this to just be a workplace, I want it to be a family. We’re not just a group of people that happen to work in the same place, we’re a family,” Tonemah said.
Here is an excerpt from what each Tribal Council Member in attendance said to employees at the event.
Councilwoman Annette Bryan
“It is a great to see you all here today to celebrate these 50 years and also appreciate you all as staff. … The Puyallup Tribal Council is dedicated to supporting you in the work that you do, to trying to hear what your needs are. … Each and every one of you in the work that you are doing in your capacity are taking care of our members. It was also said that we come in with our own traumas and we come in with our own emotions, and then it’s our job as professionals in our capacity in whatever work we are doing to meet that and regulate our own emotions to take care of that person. You guys are doing a really good job of that. … I just want to thank you all for the work that you do. It’s very important. Taking care of our community is just the No. 1 thing.”
Councilman James Rideout
“It’s a blessing to be here today, to see all the employees. … It is a very difficult time in a lot of people’s lives. … I appreciate the way that PTHA has stepped up. … Cancer has been kind of rampant throughout our community and we are addressing the issues to the best of our ability. We’re expanding our Salish Cancer Center. We are looking at CT, which is probably one of the most important things we can do in our communities for preventive medicine for cancer. As being a stage IV cancer survivor myself, I understand cancer. It makes it easier to make the decisions to go after the things that are necessary for our future. Our future entails a big growth, a growth of about 1,100 children since COVID. … This room is going to grow. Our staff is going to grow. … I want to say good job to each and every one of you. … Keep up the great work.”
Councilwoman Anna Bean
“How exciting that you guys are here today, celebrating your golden jubilee, five decades of PTHA. How amazing is that? … All of the services that have continued to grow over these 50 years and I think it’s absolutely phenomenal that you guys have been part of this growing team. … When you think about it, you are going to have hard days. You’re seeing people when they don’t feel good. … You guys carry a heavy weight for PTHA and you do that on behalf of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and I’m just completely grateful that whatever brought you here, brought you here. … You could be anywhere, but you’re here.”
Councilman Fred Dillon
“I hope you guys really know how appreciated you are. … I wanted to let each and every one of you know that I appreciate you. This table appreciates you. You heard Councilwoman Bean say that you guys have a heavy load that you carry and that’s true. Hearing that our membership and our community come in not well and you guys are there to try to get them well, that’s medicine, medicine each and every one of you carry. I just want to recognize that for you guys. … I was three years old when this opened up. … To reminiscing on where we came from to where we’re at today, is night and day. … Soak it in. … Today is about appreciating each and every one of you for all of the things that you bring to the table.”
