Health board to praise Thorburn

A Spokane Regional Health District board member who voted to fire Dr. Kim Thorburn said he will have no problem supporting a resolution Wednesday praising her leadership as head of the state Board of Health.

David Crump, who sits on both boards, said Monday that he saw no conflict in approving a farewell that lauds the ousted health officer’s skills.

“In that role, as chair, she did a nice job,” said Crump. “Kim has many talents and abilities.”

The state agency planned to honor Thorburn’s 16-month tenure with the resolution and a gift, probably a small clock, said Craig McLaughlin, the group’s executive director.

“Dr. Thorburn led the Board with strength, clarity, professionalism, passion and an incredible sense of fairness and equity,” reads the group’s first resolution of 2007, expected to be enacted Wednesday.

The board also praised Thorburn’s “uncompromising commitment to social justice,” her work to pass several rules affecting identification of HIV patients and efforts to develop criteria for evaluating when to require immunizations for day care and school entry. Thorburn, 56, was appointed to the post by Gov. Chris Gregoire in July 2005.

Thorburn’s success as a state leader contrasted with her lingering conflict with the local board, whose members voted unanimously in November to terminate her nine-year contract.

“The dynamics were different and definitely the roles were different,” Crump said. “In one, she was reporting to the board and there were the dynamics that went along with that.”

The flattering language of the resolution is true, but typical of praise offered to outgoing board members and board chairs, said McLaughlin.

“Independent of what happened in your neck of the woods, she did a good job with the (state) board,” he said.

Thorburn said Monday she appreciated the state board’s kind words.

“They’ve captured the things that I really care about,” she said.

The former health officer said she hopes to remain in Spokane. She wouldn’t comment on any possible positions, but said she might be considering part-time work, perhaps teaching at a local university.

“I plan to be a resource on public health issues if I stay in the area,” she said.