Merry-Ann Keane, MSN, RNC, FACHE -
Chief Executive Officer
Merry-Ann Keane brings Chief Executive Officer experience to her new post, serving as CEO at both Newport Hospital & Health Services in Newport, Wash., and Banner Health Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyoming, where she held the dual position of CEO and Chief Nursing Officer. Prior to that, she served as Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Clinical Services at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, Friday Harbor, Wash. Having started her nurse career in British Columbia, she advanced to clinical instructor and nurse educator in maternity, health services manager, nurse manager, and on to administrator/CEO positions. She brings the expertise of 32 years of experience in the healthcare industry to her new post.
Keane earned her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from the University of British Columbia; a Neonatal Nursing Specialty Certification, a Perinatal Nursing Specialty Certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the British Columbia Institute of Technology; and a Diploma of Nursing from Mount Royal College.
Keane is the incoming chair of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Rural Hospital Committee, chair of the WSHA Rural Hospital OB Subcommittee, and is a Board Member of both The Rural Health Enterprise and The Rural Collaborative, of which OBHMC is a founding and current member.
Brenda Sharkey, MSN - Chief Nursing Officer
As the Hospital’s Chief of Nursing, Brenda Sharkey is responsible for the nursing services provided in the hospital’s inpatient, swing bed, surgery, and emergency departments. Sharkey also oversees the clinics, all physical therapy, and cardiac/pulmonology rehabilitation services.
Stacey Brown, SHRM-SCP
Senior Director of Operations
Stacey Brown, SHRM-SCP, is the Senior Director of Operations at Ocean Beach Health, where she oversees Human Resources, Dietary, Environmental Services, and Rehabilitation Services. Stacey plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing HR policies and programs that align with the hospital's strategic goals. As a culture leader, Stacey is driven to make Ocean Beach Health a great place to work. She leads with compassion and a deep commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Her leadership style emphasizes employee engagement, development, and creating a workplace where staff feel valued and empowered.
Christine Bighaus, BSN, CPHRM, CPPS
Senior Director of Risk and Quality
With an impressive 38-year career in nursing and healthcare leadership, Christine Bighaus brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as Senior Director of Risk and Quality at Ocean Beach Health. A dedicated advocate for patient safety and operational excellence, Christine works closely with internal and external partners to identify and mitigate risks that impact patients, staff, and visitors. She also leads the organization’s internal ethics and compliance program, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of integrity and care.
In addition to her risk management responsibilities, Christine oversees the laboratory, quality, and radiology departments, driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance clinical outcomes and patient experiences. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is nationally certified in both healthcare risk management (CPHRM) and patient safety (CPPS).
Throughout her diverse career, Christine has made a lasting impact in medical-surgical nursing, endoscopy, orthopedics, infection prevention, quality, and risk management. Her passion for proactive problem-solving and fostering a culture of safety makes her an invaluable leader at Ocean Beach Health.
Tammie Jefferies, Chief of Staff
As Ocean Beach Health’s Chief of Staff, Medical Staff Coordinator, and Hospital Foundation Trustee, Tammie Jefferies is an invaluable member of the executive team. Her healthcare career spans over 15 years, where prior to her current duties, she was the assistant to the HR Manager. Jefferies provides support to other executive team members and hospital managers throughout the organization. Her other duties include the coordination of the employee activities committee and auxiliary.
Brendan Burns, Senior Director of Clinics
Bio coming soon.
Carol Zahorsky, Senior Director of Community Engagement / Executive Director of Ocean Beach Health Foundation
Bio coming soon.
Eric Volk, CPA, vCFO, Partner, WIPFLI
Eric Volk is a partner in Wipfli LLP’s Spokane office. He specializes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and audits for critical access hospitals. He has significant experience improving cost-based reimbursement for hospitals, as well as providing cost report audit and appeal support. Volk provides consulting services to several providers in the region, enabling him to develop and maintain a solid understanding of issues common to the healthcare industry.