Newport, WA — NEW Health is grieving the loss of one of its most treasured team members, Shirley Wagoner, ARNP, whose passing has left a deep void within the organization and across the many communities she served with passion and heart for more than a decade.
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Shirley, a nurse practitioner at NEW Health for the past 10 years, was known not only for her exceptional clinical skills but for her unwavering compassion and steadfast commitment to rural healthcare. Her career was far more than a profession — it was a calling. She approached every patient interaction with empathy, integrity, and a sincere desire to improve lives.
Based in Newport, Shirley quickly became a cornerstone of the local healthcare community. To patients, she was a trusted and reassuring presence; to colleagues, she was a mentor, a leader, and a cherished friend. Her calm demeanor, advocacy for underserved populations, and tireless work ethic earned her the admiration of all who knew her.
“Shirley stood for everything that makes community healthcare meaningful,” said a colleague at NEW Health. “She cared deeply, she listened fully, and she gave generously — of her time, her knowledge, and her heart.”
Throughout her years of service, Shirley was a vocal advocate for better access to care in rural areas, never hesitating to champion those who needed support the most. She brought warmth to the clinic, hope to her patients, and purpose to her work — always putting the human side of medicine at the forefront.
As NEW Health reflects on her remarkable legacy, they are reminded that Shirley’s impact extended far beyond clinic walls. It lived in her patients’ gratitude, her coworkers’ respect, and the lasting relationships she built through simple, everyday acts of kindness.
Plans are underway for a memorial honoring Shirley’s life and contributions. In the meantime, grief counselors have been made available to staff, and messages of condolence continue to pour in from across the region.
“Our hearts are heavy,” NEW Health shared in a statement. “We are better because she was among us, and we will honor her legacy by continuing the work she loved so dearly.”
Shirley Wagoner will be remembered not just as a nurse practitioner, but as a guiding light whose compassion made a lasting difference in the lives she touched.
Rest in peace, Shirley. You will always remain a part of the NEW Health family.