Becker Honored by State Medical Association

SEATTLE, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Randi Becker (2nd Legislative District) was honored at the Washington State Medical Association's (WSMA) Annual Meeting as the WSMA's Legislator of the Year. The ranking minority member on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee received the award at the WSMA's Annual President's Banquet on Saturday, September 10.

Each year the 9,800+ physician member organization honors a Washington state legislator whose knowledge and influence does much to improve the health of people in Washington state.

"Senator Becker understands our issues—she has spent the majority of her professional career working for physicians' practices," said Dr. Dean Martz, immediate past president of the WSMA.

Senator Randi Becker started working in the medical field as a receptionist, working her way up to become the administrator of a multi-million dollar surgical center in Puyallup. Along the way, she helped develop an Obesity Surgical Practice in the Auburn area and worked for Good Samaritan Hospital, where she started several hospital-owned clinics, including the Urgent Care Center.

Added Dr. Martz, "Senator Becker is an advocate for physicians with a genuine concern for our profession."

Senator Becker was instrumental this past legislative session in helping the WSMA pass, defeat and amend numerous bills of interest to physicians including bills related to a physician's right to balance bill, Medicaid fraud and health care reform legislation.

Senator Becker was praised by the association for her efforts representing physicians and their patients.

"Senator Becker is effective at working across party lines, seeking compromise and finding solutions to the difficult issues facing medicine," said Dr. Martz.

SOURCE Washington State Medical Association