CHERYL DAMSTETTER

The path that lead Cheryl Damstetter to her role as the CEO of Columbia Valley Community Health, was guided and influnced by her mother, her "hero," a lady of great caring, work ethic, and quiet dignity, still present at 91.

Mom, Cheryl, & her brother moved to Iowa for family smorgasbords, Garrison Keillor, & education. That led to scholastic honors and Central College, a private college that enticed Cheryl with International Studies.

Cheryl studied in Mexico's Yucatan where she appreciated the hospitality of the people and surprised that she could think in Spanish. The hopelessness in the eyes of poverty in the parents of the barrios, people who worked in the Colonia where she was staying, gained a hold on her heart. She learned more about poverty in child protective services, which led to a B.S. in nursing, and a Masters in Public Health. She became Director of Nursing in San Antonio at the University Health System, where she mediated between demanding doctors and Latino nurses.

Michael Stevenson, her Sunrise Rotary husband, and Cheryl got a big surprise after 14 years of marriage. The son who arrived has surprised them by how much he adds to their lives.

Deciding to move to a small town near Texas landed them in Wenatchee. She believes that Columbia Valley Community Health changes the lives of many and appreciates having a great Board and dedicated staff. She loves reading, cycling, skiing, and hiking. Looking forward to getting more involved with Rotary, Cheryl commented, "I am keenly aware that I don't share the political view of many of you. I hope to grow to appreciate your views better." That integrity is not surprising given her hero worship.

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