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Trent Kelly:
There are many tools used to protect the public’s health — from syringes to microscopes to Geiger counters. Trent Kelly’s tools are basic – a yellow pad and pen. Trent is a supervisory staff attorney for Health Systems Quality Assurance, the division that protects public health by working to assure patient safety. He oversees summary suspensions — emergency actions against the credentials of health care providers for the most serious violations. "Most health care providers never get into trouble," Trent said. "A few break the rules; we take quick, serious action when there’s immediate danger to patients. In some cases we can act in a matter of days." The division investigates all complaints against providers so patients can have confidence in their doctors, nurses, dentists and other practitioners. "I love my job," said Trent, who graduated from University of Puget Sound law school and joined the agency in 1995. "It changes all the time. I’ve seen a complete evolution of the law since I’ve been here. And the work is important — patient safety is our priority." The agency has also evolved. When Trent first started, staff attorneys and investigators were placed within individual programs. Now, they’re in one group that handles investigations into all 57 professions the agency regulates. "The task force approach to emergency actions let’s us pull everyone together to focus on an issue," Trent said. "It allows us to move much more quickly." Working in public health offers a number of challenges, but that’s what makes the job interesting and rewarding. "It’s so different everyday," he said. "I like working with boards and commissions, listening to them. It’s engaging." Trent says working for the public is rewarding; he wouldn’t trade his cubicle for a private office and other private sector perks. "Public practice is more meaningful," he said. "It’s a chance to make a difference." |
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