Letter from Dr. John Stivelman: July 31, 2006

It has been my privilege and great pleasure to know Nancy Spaeth for the last 7 years.   No one I have encountered in my career more exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and its ability to supervene life’s obstacles (particularly those related to health) in attaining one’s life goals.  Nancy so embodies “full rehabilitation” (the goal of the ESRD program articulated at the time of its establishment), that when one thinks of her and all she does, illness simply does not come to mind.  She brings thoughtfulness, intelligence, wisdom and enormous energy to all she does in both renal and general physical rehabilitation (the latter, also in her professional life). She is a highly effective advocate on patient, legislative, and administrative fronts for improvement in care and enhancement of personal autonomy, offering the rare dual perspective of patient and expert caregiver in all her activities. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and passionate promotion of self-realization and goal attainment are important examples for all of us, whether we are patients, family, doctors, nurses, friends, or committed citizens.

John Stivelman M. D.

Chief Medical Officer,

Northwest Kidney Centers