This Sabbath Pamela Atkinson will join us for our continued emphasis on COMPASSION. Pamela is well known throughout the Salt Lake Valley for her work on behalf of the homeless. She is heavily involved in caring for the most vulnerable residents in Salt Lake City. Pamela left the corporate world not to retire but to use her influence and leadership to connect the well-resourced of the city with those who have the greatest needs. I am pleased to have her with us this Sabbath. PLEASE READ MORE ABOUT PAMELA BELOW:
Pamela J. Atkinson received her basic education in England, and received a BSc from the University of California, and a MA from the University of Washington. Pamela has held a variety of positions in health care including her last position as vice-president, Mission Services, Intermountain Health Care
Pamela works directly with homeless and low-income people and collaborates with a variety of nonprofit and governmental organizations as well as agencies who serve these populations. She assists people in finding opportunities to volunteer in a variety of settings and in collecting bedding, clothing, food and other essentials for families who are making the transition from homelessness to having homes of their own. She explores ways to prevent homelessness. Additionally, Pamela likes to work with women who are single parents trying to get off welfare and advocates for children wherever and whenever there is a need, and also volunteers on the Volunteers of America, Utah, Homeless Outreach Team.
Pamela was instrumental in initiating the Lincoln Family Health Center, which operates in a low-income school, the IHC Neighborhood Clinic at the Sorenson Multicultural Center, and the Rose Park Family Health Center, another clinic in a low-income school. All of these clinics provide health care for students and their families. Her belief is that children who are ill experience difficulty in learning and through cooperation with the community and schools, such clinics can provide preventive health care.
Pamela was appointed to the State Board of Regents for ten years. She has also served on the State Board of Education and the Utah College of Applied Technology Board. She now serves on the State Homeless Coordinating Committee, the Coalition for Utah’s Future Board, Envision Utah, BMW Bank of North America Board, Caring Foundation for Children, the Alliance for Unity and the University of Utah’s School of Business National Advisory Board. Pamela also works with Governor Huntsman when he requests her assistance on various projects.
Pamela believes that there must be private and public partnerships in order to prevent and solve a variety of societal problems. Throughout the year, she advocates at the Legislature for a variety of issues and feels that most people are willing to give of their time and skills when opportunities to serve are presented to them. Additionally, Pamela strongly believes that we should never underestimate the powerful impact on people from even a small amount of giving and caring.