Selecky Posthumously Honored by Health District

Northeast Tri County Health District announced they recently honored the legacy of longtime public health leader Mary Selecky, whose career spanned decades of service to northeast Washington and the state.

According to officials, Selecky served the region at the Northeast Tri County Health District from 1979 to 1999, before going on to serve as Washington state secretary of health from 1999 to 2013. Although her work later took her to the state level, Selecky maintained strong ties to Colville and northeast Washington, which she considered home.

Selecky passed away in 2025; officials said members of her family recently visited the health district, both in person and virtually, to share memories and present a commemorative plaque honoring her life and work. District Administrator Matt Schanz accepted the plaque on behalf of the agency, stating that it marked a meaningful moment for staff who remembered Selecky’s leadership, dedication, and lasting impact on public health.