An incumbent member of the board for the Whidbey Island Hospital District is facing an unusual opponent in the election — his ex-wife.

But Kate Rose explained that her decision to run against Eric Anderson, a well-known Oak Harbor veterinarian, has nothing to do with their past relationship. She said they are on good terms and running for the office has been something she’s thought about for years.

Anderson, however, did not return calls for comment.

Rose has a background in public health but is currently the program manager for Leadership Whidbey at Skagit Valley College. She said her unique range of experience in public health, health care, communication and community service would be valuable for the board.

“I feel really connected to health care and really connected to the community,” she said. “I would like to be a liaison between the two.”

Rose, a longtime Whidbey Island resident, has a masters degree in public health, a bachelors in organizational behavior and an associate degree in respiratory therapy. She worked as a registered respiratory therapist at an acute care hospital, a director of a home care organization and a research coordinator for the University of Washington Department of Pharmacy.

Rose later worked for Island County Public Health and was the chairperson for Island County Community Health Advisory Board.

Rose has also been involved in many community service roles. She is on the city of Oak Harbor’s Civil Service Commission and the Park Board. She was involved in the WhidbeyHealth Hospital Foundation, the Toddler Learning Center and other groups.

In his candidate statement, Anderson wrote that he has taken decisive action to “turn the hospital around – investing in resources, recruiting top talent, and most importantly focusing on patient-centric care.”

With Eric’s tireless dedication to putting patients first,” the statement says, “the WhidbeyHealth team has achieved remarkable results. He has made sure that WhidbeyHealth not only meets but exceeds the highest standards of care.”

Anderson was on the hospital board when serious financial problems came to light. The board fired the CEO and contracted with a hospital management company to run the hospital.

Rose agrees that the hospital is on the right track with a good leadership team and stronger finances. Yet she believes that the hospital leaders need to continue to ask tough questions and be as transparent as possible.

Anderson