Bertha Safford has shown the way to improve patient care as long as I have know her.
She helped shape the disease registry collaboration between Family Care Network and PeaceHealth. She can clearly see her way across organizational boundaries in support of patient care. She goes for what is best for patients, not what is convenient for herself.
Here is a link to Washington' Doctor of the Year-County family doctor recognized by peers. (I don't know how long the Bellingham Herald keeps this archive links available.)