From a field of six candidates, Kurt S. Blankenship was appointed to represent District 2 (Coupeville) on the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District Board of Commissioners.

He was selected to replace Georgia Gardner, who resigned in February.

“He comes with extensive experience in health care-related work and law,” WhidbeyHealth CEO Geri Forbes said. “He also worked in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.”

Blankenship has been an attorney at Blue Williams, L.L.P. of New Orleans, La. since 1996, where he specialized in several areas including health care law.

“We were extremely impressed with the field of candidates,” board president Ron Wallin said in a statement.

“It was very satisfying to see so many qualified people interested in dedicating their time and efforts to support health care in our Whidbey Island community. But after careful consideration, it was clear that Kurt Blankenship would be a great complement to the board.”

Blankenship recently permanently moved to the Coupeville home he and his wife, Jackie, owned for the past seven years.

“In August 2015, I underwent emergency surgery at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and remained hospitalized for a week,” Blankenship said. ” I was very impressed with the quality of care and service I received, and would greatly enjoy the opportunity to contribute to that mission as commissioner.”