In ‘Around The Table,’ we highlight member news and share information on industry trends. This week, we shine the spotlight on Boeing, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Seattle Seahawks, and Virginia Mason.
Boeing Announces More than $50 million in Grants to Support Nonprofits Worldwide
Boeing has announced more than $50 million in grants to more than 500 nonprofit organizations across 50 countries globally, with many located in the Puget Sound. The annual contributions include a three-year commitment of more than $25 million in support of veterans’ recovery and rehabilitation programs and transition services. Boeing has invested in a total of 188 grants targeting increased STEM diversity, proficiency, and interest among K-12 students. The charitable grants package will fund programs through 2018 and supplement an anticipated $117 million in company-wide business and employee contributions to similar causes—bringing Boeing’s total community investments to approximately $167 million this year alone. Read more here.
University of Washington Students Explore Atmospheric Instrumentation at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Students from the University of Washington recently took a two-week short course on atmospherics sciences at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The course was taught by PNNL scientists and engineers and focused on themes such as airborne instrumentation and measurements, data management, and atmospheric chemistry. “Learning it from the experts, the instrument mentors, you can’t beat that,” said Sam Pennypacker, a third-year graduate student at UW. “You can only get so much from reading documentation.” Read more about the learning experience at PNNL here.
Seahawks Surprise Work Force Development Center Teens with Game Tickets
A group of high school students with the Work Force Development Center (WDFC) thought they were lucky to be invited to watch a Seahawks practice in Renton last month. But the real surprise came when Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright came over to the group and offered tickets to students to see the Seahawks take on the Houston Texans on October 29. WDFC was one of eight organizations recognized and rewarded through the Legion of Youth Powered by Boeing (LOY) program. LOY is a unique community program created by Boeing and the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 to provide Seahawks game tickets to community organizations that serve youth throughout the Northwest. This year’s newest recipient, WFDC, provides disabled and economically disadvantaged high school students with aerospace apprenticeship training. Read more about the story here.
Virginia Mason Recognized as One of Nation’s Straight-A Hospitals for Safety
Virginia Mason Medical Center was recognized as one of the best hospitals in the nation for patient safety performance. The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2017 Hospital Safety Grades last week, and Virginia Mason received a perfect A grade – a grade the center has received in every scoring update since the ranking system’s inception in 2012. The safety grades, released every fall and spring, are based on 27 quality measures, including nurse communication, hand hygiene adherence, and surgical site infection rates, among others. Read more here.