Dungeness Health & Wellness Clinic board president Dr. Audrey Gift announced Jan. 9 that Rich Newman has joined the board of directors.

“We welcome Rich as a valuable member of the board. His commitment to providing exceptional customer service matches the mission of the clinic and his current position as chief human resources officer for the Olympic Medical Center will facilitate the relationship between the clinic and the Olympic Medical Center.” Gift said.

Newman has 35 years of experience in the health care industry, as well as experience in the public sector and in higher education. His expertise in the areas of human resources, strategic planning, group facilitation, team building, management and organizational development will be an asset to the clinic.

Before coming to Sequim in 2001, Newman served for several years as the Associate Director of Academic Affairs at the Nevada campus of the University of Phoenix and earlier as organizational development and employee relations manager for the Washoe Health System in Reno, Nev.

He provided health care consulting through the Newman Group, which he established and served as COO. His undergraduate and master’s degrees are from the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind. He lives in Sequim with his wife, Pamela.

Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic is the Sequim free clinic that provides access to health care for the underserved in the community and promotes wellness.

The clinic is committed to remaining a free clinic in the ever-changing world of health care.

Additional information about the clinic is available at www.sequimfreeclinc.org.