News & Events | Blood Center Announces Promotions

OCTOBER 29, 2004, SEATTLE WA — Puget Sound Blood Center announced that several key staff members have received promotions. Over the past several years, the Blood Center has seen both its research and medical programs evolve, while its blood and tissue programs have continued to expand to meet the community’s growing need. As a result, the organization needed to make the changes in anticipation of this continued growth.

“The Blood Center values the contributions these professionals have made toward achieving the Blood Center’s organizational mission,” stated Richard Counts, M.D., CEO and president of the Blood Center. “Appointing these proven leaders reflects our strong commitment to maintaining a forward-thinking, evolving organization poised to meet the increasing healthcare needs of our community in the years to come.”

Sally Sullivan was promoted to executive vice president of Human Resources, a position she assumes after serving four years as the Blood Center’s director of Human Resources. Sullivan, a Mercer Island resident, brings nearly 30 years of human resources experience to the position. The Blood Center, which already employs nearly 900 people, will continue seeking highly-trained staff to support its increasing role in providing medical care and conducting research. The Executive Vice President of Human Resources ensures that the organization’s staffing will in alignment with the Blood Center’s plans for growth.

After two decades of service in the Blood Center’s Blood Collection Service, Lynn Craig will apply her management talents toward the implementation of a new computing system used by the Blood Center called the Blood Banking Computing System (BBCS). Used for years by the blood banking community to effectively manage and track blood inventories, integrate communications between hospitals and blood banks and ensure successful transfusion outcomes, BBCS will require a skilled professional to oversee the seamless integration of the new system. In this capacity, Craig has been appointed as director of the project. Prior to the announcement, the Mukilteo resident served as director of Blood Collection Services, a post she occupied for 14 years.

With the need for a qualified manager to assume Craig’s duties, Donnie Elliott, R.N., was appointed as director of Blood Collection Services. As one of the most visible departments of the Blood Center, BCS oversees the collection of blood through nine centers and 14 mobile units throughout Western Washington and the training of all blood collection staff. The resident of Bothell previously served as center and mobile program manager at the Blood Center and brings 21 years of blood banking experience to the job. She will oversee total operations of the department, ensuring that the Blood Center achieves blood collection goals, manages departmental efficiencies and maintains a high standard of customer service to blood donors and volunteers.

About Puget Sound Blood Center
Celebrating 60 years in the community, the Blood Center is internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine. The nonprofitBlood Centeris the resource for patients in WesternWashington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The organization directly affects the lives of over half million patients annually in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties of Washington State and provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.