SHELTON, WA – When patients walk into Mason Clinic, many of them look forward to Taylor Gustafson’s warm energy and positive attitude. Gustafson greets patients with care and cheerfulness, immediately making them feel comfortable during their visit. She embodies Mason Health’s Values of Service & Relationships, which is why her peers have nominated and selected her as the April 2022 Mason Health Employee of the Month.

Gustafson started work in November 2019 in the Patient Access Department of Mason Health, initially working at Shelton Family Medicine right before it relocated to Mason Clinic in January 2020. More recently, Gustafson transitioned to the Behavioral Health team, working as an office assistant while she studies at South Puget Sound Community College for pre-requisites for a future career as a psychiatric mental health nurse.

“From the first day Taylor started at Shelton Family Medicine she was friendly, upbeat, and willing to do whatever it took to serve our patients,” said Amber Carlson, Mason Health’s Director of Behavioral Health. “Taylor continues to grow with her transition to the Behavioral Health team last year. She is adept at reading situations and offering support to both patients and staff alike when facing a behavioral health crisis. Her can-do attitude continues to impress myself and our entire team here in Behavioral Health. We are grateful for her help each and every day and know she will continue to do great things in her future.”

Gustafson grew up in Shelton and has deep ties to the community and Mason Health — her grandmother, Sue Glenn, was an active member and former president of Mason General Hospital Foundation’s Auxiliary chapter. Gustafson graduated Shelton High School in 2011 and traveled Europe before moving back to Washington. For a few years, she lived in Spokane and worked as a receptionist at an OB/GYN clinic before moving back home in 2019.

“I wanted to be in my community,” she said. “When I started working here, I met Mason Health’s first psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, Vanessa Cray, PMHNP-BC, and Katie Aldrich, PMHNP-BC, and learned more about what they do. I also realized I liked helping our Behavioral Health patients when they came to check in for their appointments. Watching the difference in our patients when they started the right treatment and the right medications — it’s so interesting to me that there is a difference between the brain chemistry in my brain versus yours. It’s fascinating.”

Gustafson loves the Behavioral Health team and working for Mason Health.

“I love my department and that we are more included in Primary Care,” she said. “It’s good we’re all in the same building and can touch base with one another. Even though it’s a big building, it’s still a small-town vibe. This organization has made good changes in good ways.”

When she is not working or in school, Gustafson enjoys spending time with her daughter, Charlee, sister, Sydnee, dog, Oakley, and cat, Zoe. She and Charlee enjoying spending time outdoors and horseback-riding.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of the Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Environmental Excellence Award. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masongeneral.com.