Kathy Sullivan with Theresa Kiernan and Karl Bjarke at the Morgan Hill Leadership Class of 2016 Graduation .
Yes , That Kathy Sullivan
Written By Robin Shepherd
It takes a certain kind of person with a rare blend of kindness and moxie to be a career nurse . Kathy Sullivan ’ s on that list , with 43 years as an RN to her credit . She began her healthcare career as an emergency / trauma nurse and capped it off as a Training Supervisor for Public Health . In between , she worked as a Health Facilities Evaluator Supervisor , investigating nursing home and hospital complaints to ensure regulatory compliance .
When the name Kathy Sullivan comes up around town , and it comes up A LOT , it ’ s important to let folks know WHICH Kathy you ’ re talking about . The tall blonde with the big smile who is often spotted carrying the Chamber ’ s equally tall scissors for yet another ribbon-cutting ceremony in Morgan Hill . Yes , That Kathy Sullivan .
Kathy is a Morgan Hill resident and the proud mother of two adult children , plus two grandchildren whom she lovingly refers to as “ the most beautiful and exceptional creatures to grace this planet .”
In her so-called retirement , Kathy invests her time and talent in two local nonprofits , the American Association of University Women ( AAUW ) and the Morgan Hill Downtown Association . She was elected to a second term on the MHUSD Personnel Commission and also serves on the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization .
Her community involvement began years ago in the education sector . After serving as Home and School Club president at several schools , Kathy served for eight years on the Morgan Hill Unified School Board ( MHUSD ). Other roles include Vice President and then President of the Santa Clara County School Board Association , and delegate for the California School Board Association .
Kathy has been a member of the American Association of University Women ( AAUW ) for over ten years . She also serves as an Ambassador and a member of the Educational Committee of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce . In her role as Vice President of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association ( MHDA ), she liaises with the Chamber board .
Mushroom Mardi Gras staff and volunteers know Kathy from her ongoing active participation in one of Morgan Hill ’ s signature annual events . She is also a Friend of the Morgan Hill Library and writes a monthly column about community happenings for Morgan Hill Life .
Fellow volunteers can relate all too well when Kathy confesses , unabashedly , “ Needless to say , I do not spend a lot of time cleaning my house !” That ’ s been especially true in 2016 , when Kathy participated in Morgan Hill ’ s Leadership program on a scholarship funded by AAUW Morgan Hill . Here ’ s her story . . .
PHOTO ON THIS PAGE BY ROBIN SHEPHERD , OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP MORGAN HILL
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 gmhtoday . com