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Orcas Island resident, Pegi Groundwater receives SHIBA volunteer award

Pegi Groundwater of Orcas Island is receiving the first John Russell, RN, Award this weekend from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program.

Pegi will be honored Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Orcas Senior Center by community members, along with John Russell’s wife Joanne and Tim Smolen, SHIBA program manager.  

The John Russell, RN, Award commemorates SHIBA volunteer, John Russell a longtime SHIBA volunteer. John was a registered nurse who volunteered with Edmonds Waterfront Center in Snohomish County. After becoming a proficient volunteer advisor, John helped the SHIBA program transition between sponsors and created a scheduling system for volunteer advisors and community agencies so people could get help with Medicare Open Enrollment in their local area. He was also an active supporter of mentoring for novice volunteer advisors, including creating an online training resource.

In remembering him, SHIBA program manager Tim Smolen said, “John bore the responsibility of his work with a light heart, but he was dedicated and serious about providing excellent service to Medicare beneficiaries and advocating for the OIC SHIBA program to fully support our corps of volunteer advisors.”

This award is presented to a SHIBA volunteer who demonstrates exceptional commitment, selflessness and dedication in helping people understand and navigate Medicare.

Pegi serves as SHIBA’s volunteer coordinator in San Juan County and has served as an active SHIBA volunteer for more than 17 years. Smolen said Pegi was selected because “She embodies all the very best qualities of a volunteer and community leader, and exemplifies the values we cherished in John.”

After gaining extensive experience as a volunteer, Pegi took on the role of coordinating the volunteers for the region. She is responsible for recruiting, training and mentoring volunteer advisors about Medicare, promoting the SHIBA program in San Juan County and coordinating the efforts of like-minded organizations to ensure seniors are well-informed and able to live independently and with dignity.

*About the SHIBA program*

For more than 45 years, SHIBA has offered free, unbiased and confidential Medicare help through the Office of Insurance Commissioner. SHIBA volunteers are trained and supported to counsel people with questions about Medicare and other insurance. Through the Orcas Senior Center and other similar organizations throughout the state, almost 200 volunteers serve 40,000 people each year and donate more than 30,000 community service hours.








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