Woodinville residents Chris and Margery Yetman have always been compelled to serve their community. Whether through volunteering or philanthropic giving, their purpose has been to do what they can to ease the burden of others.
Roughly thirty years ago, when Chris and Margery were the parents of three young daughters, their giving was modest—$25 here, $50 there—as they worked up to their goal of donating 10% of their annual income to charitable causes. Over time, the family income grew as Chris’s career advanced, but that 10% target stayed the same. Before long, the family’s philanthropy outpaced their wildest expectations. They began to consider how, if they focused on a few causes, their giving could really move the needle.
The EvergreenHealth difference: Compassionate care, clinical excellence
The family landed in the Seattle area in 2009 after relocating three times for Chris’s career as a technology industry executive. For years, they were in and out of hospitals for Margery and their youngest daughter, both of whom had multiple health issues. In their experience, most hospitals operated like a machine: Patient admitted, treatment dispensed, patient discharged. This is why their early interactions with EvergreenHealth were so profound—you could feel the difference.
“This is why we love EvergreenHealth, because it’s about caring,” Chris said.
After moving to the Seattle area, Margery developed chronic spinal problems, which became severe in 2015 and required more care. The first physician she saw wanted to perform an invasive surgery that would have put her in a back brace for a year. Margery sought a second opinion from EvergreenHealth spine surgeon Mark Freeborn, MD. She knew after her first consultation that she was in the right place.
“I don’t know where I’d be now if I hadn’t finally been sent to see him,” Margery said.
Since then, Margery has had four surgeries with Dr. Freeborn, who also serves as Chief Medical Officer of EvergreenHealth Medical Group. Chris and Margery developed a deep appreciation for the compassionate care and commitment to clinical excellence at EvergreenHealth.
“You cannot pay people to care,” Chris said. “So, when people do care, it’s something you notice.”
How major gifts drive transformative impact
Chris and Margery connected with the EvergreenHealth Foundation in early 2020, while the world was in the throes of the global COVID-19 pandemic and EvergreenHealth was at the center of the first community-based outbreak in the nation. The resilience of the frontline health care workers and the importance of community health care came into sharp focus during the pandemic. In light of these momentous events, Chris and Margery wanted to give back in a bigger way.
“If you want to make a difference in anything in life, you focus on it. Giving is no different,” Chris said. “You don’t build new hospital wings with just $5 gifts.”
The family built philanthropic partnerships with two not-for-profit health care organizations. They chose one with a global focus, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and one with a local focus, EvergreenHealth Foundation. Their pivot to supporting the greatest needs of EvergreenHealth has brought transformative changes to our community-owned hospital.
Their first major gift was in 2020, when Chris and Margery invested in the modernization and expansion of the EvergreenHealth Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It was the first major update to the ICU since it opened in 1979. Their gift facilitated the construction of a new floor with state-of-the-art technology, a more welcoming family room and a dedicated lounge for staff to recharge. Chris and Margery soon learned community-based philanthropy goes deeper than the visible changes to the hospital. It’s a way of uplifting friends, family and neighbors in challenging times.
Chris recalls a story from a family friend: While sitting in the ICU family room, waiting for an update on a loved one, she saw Chris and Margery’s name on a plaque recognizing them for their philanthropy; it brought her comfort.
“Someone you love is going to receive care from EvergreenHealth,” Chris said, “so why wouldn’t you like to invest in a piece of that?”
In 2024, Chris and Margery gave seed funding that helped with the purchase of two new MRI machines for EvergreenHealth. A new 1.5T MRI was installed in late 2025. A 3T MRI, which produces higher resolution imaging, is projected to be ready for patient imaging in early 2027.
“A 3T MRI will elevate our capabilities across the health system, opening the doors for more sophisticated imaging and treatment options at EvergreenHealth,” said Dr. Freeborn. “It is transformative for our patients.”
Philanthropy that builds a legacy
Chris and Margery have also expanded their involvement with their philanthropic partners, with Chris serving on the Professional Advisory Board for St. Jude’s and Margery serving on the EvergreenHealth Foundation Board of Trustees. At the end of their lives, they plan to donate a portion of their estate to St. Jude’s and EvergreenHealth Foundation. When asked about the core principles that define their approach to philanthropy, they both agree.
“Our ancestors planted trees that we’re now enjoying,” Chris said. “There comes a time when it’s your turn to plant some trees.”
Chris and Margery’s story was featured in the spring 2026 edition of our Giving Matters newsletter.