In the early planning phase of the Endowment for Quality & Access, volunteer leadership was key from the Steering Committee:
  • Mike Sodorff, co-chair
  • Carol Chipman, co-chair
  • Jack Fulfs
  • Greg Bloom
  • Ken Gibson
  • Steve Hall, M.D.
  • Fritz Hughes
  • Pat Wright
  • Jen Greeny
Carol Chipman, Co-Chair Endowment for Quality & Access Steering Committee

Carol Chipman is a former owner of the Chipman & Taylor Chevrolet-Oldsmobile and Ford-Mercury dealerships in Pullman. Born and raised in Mountain Home, Idaho, Chipman came to the Palouse in 1965 to attend college at University of Idaho, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in bacteriology/medical technology.

Chipman said she agreed to co-chair the hospital’s campaign steering committee because she believes Pullman needs and deserves a hospital and medical community that is secure and profitable going into the future.

“I also believe that each of us has a responsibility to help achieve this, and I feel strongly that this is my chance to give back to a community that has been so good to me and my family,” she added. 

“I look forward to working closely with a committee that represents all aspects of life in and around Pullman who are all personally dedicated and passionate about the necessity to make Pullman’s medical community an excellent model for small communities throughout the nation,” Chipman said. “I am excited about the challenge and look forward to a 100 percent successful campaign.”

Mike Sodorff, Co-Chair Endowment for Quality & Access Steering Committee

Mike Sodorff's roots on the Palouse run deep, both in the land and in his educational ties to Pullman and Washington State University. Owner of Sodorff Farms in Colton, Washington, Sodorff is a retired fourth-generation farmer of 40 years, having raised wheat, barley and dry peas. His mother Natalie, wife Christine and children—Eric, Scott and Emily—all graduated from Pullman High School and WSU.

As a longtime resident of the region, Sodorff has committed his time and efforts to several initiatives in the Pullman area. They include the Downtown Pullman Riverwalk, Cougar Athletic Fund Membership Team and Fundraising Campaign Team for Pullman Regional Hospital’s construction. He also has been a member of the Masonic Lodge and Pullman Lions Club for more than 40 years.

Like Chipman, Sodorff decided to co-chair the campaign steering committee as a way to give back to the community, he said.

“As a committee, our goal will be to continue to provide health care services that are important to the community. Personally, I wanted to participate for the satisfaction of a job well done.”

Ken Gibson, Endowment for Quality & Access Steering Committee

“It’s extremely important that the community has excellent healthcare,” he said. “In today’s world, the technology needed for quality medical care is so expensive. The hospital needs an endowment to provide sustained funding, and the Endowment for Quality and Access will do that.”

Fritz Hughes, Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation Board President

“The establishment of an Endowment for Quality and Access gives us the opportunity to continue to provide the services that are important to the community and allows us not to have to make choices that leave a portion of the population lacking in care.”

Tricia Grantham, Pullman Regional Hospital Board of Commissioners President

“The Endowment for Quality and Access is the first initiative as part of Community Health 2020. This endowment is the key component of the campaign as it relates to sustaining the quality of services and assuring access to needed care for the community. We must work vigorously toward safeguarding important services and programs as government and insurance payments decline. Using the power and creativity of innovation, we have the opportunity to develop partnerships and seek collaborative alliances that improve our capacity to better serve our community.”