Staff Spotlight

Bill Beaulieu, Security Guard

By Clare Jensen

For Puyallup Tribal News
cjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: May 29, 2008

The Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) just can’t get rid of Bill Beaulieu. The former line chef has been bumped from a variety of temporary positions at the clinic, and at one point, was even laid off.

“They’ve tried numerous times to get rid of me – but I keep coming back,” he joked.

Bill Beaulieu, who has been in his security-guard position for two years, has held onto jobs at the PTHA because of its healthy impact on his life.

He went through a program at the PTHA’s treatment center in 2002, and has been around ever since.

“I said ‘this is a good, healthy place – I think I’ll stick around.’”

And he has, because the PTHA truly has proven to be a healthy experience for him.

He has completed 13 college courses during his time at PTHA, has been dedicated to Wellbriety meetings, as well as attending sweats and community dinners.

“I am very blessed to be here,” he said, and noted the sense of accomplishment he feels when he walks through the doors of the treatment center today.

“I can go into PTTC as an alumni and be a living example – I can show [patients] that ‘you can do it!’”

Bill Beaulieu said because most of the people he sees on a daily basis aren’t feeling their best, he tries to keep it light by keeping a sense of humor.

“Seeing people come in that are having a real tough time – and seeing them get better, that’s really rewarding,” he said. “I like to be able to help somebody, or to know I contributed to making someone’s day a little easier.”

Bill Beaulieu got married last year to his new wife, Laurie, and said that in his time at the PTHA, he feels as though he has been re-born.

“This whole community opened up its heart to me and anything that I can do to give back is very fulfilling.”

Bill Beaulieu said the people, staff and community, at the PTHA are what makes his job so special. He said one challenge he faces is keeping a “ready for anything edge” in such a laid-back environment.

“Anything could happen anywhere at any time,” he said. While nothing life-threatening has occurred under his watch, Bill Beaulieu understands the need to be prepared for the most unexpected situations.

Story Tools

This Week's
Front Page