‘Great leaders are selfless.’ This Tri-Citian of the Year helps those who need it most

A man who has spent decades making sure those in need can get medical care and other help has been named Tri-Citian of the Year.

Mark Brault, the chief executive of Grace Clinic, was surprised Tuesday night with the highest honor given in the Tri-Cities at an event held by the Tri-Cities’ Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

The organizations honor the Mid-Columbian who best exemplifies service above self.

“Great leaders are selfless and demonstrate in word and deed their compassion for the homeless and those struggling in the community,” said Dave Retter, the 2019 Tri-Citian of the Year, as he announced Brault as the 2022 winner.

Brault, a retired certified public accountant, spends 40 to 50 hours a week volunteering as the chief executive of Grace Clinic, the second-largest free medical clinic in Washington state.

It provides medical, dental and mental health care to low income residents of the Tri-Cities area who do not have health insurance.

He joined the board of Grace Clinic in 2006 and started volunteering as its chief executive nearly a decade ago while he was still working full time.

He led the transition of the clinic from its all volunteer roots into a standalone medical clinic, said Jeffrey Clark, the retired vice president of Kadlec Regional Medical Center, in Richland.

The clinic has only a few employees and relies on 200 to 250 volunteers, including volunteer doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals.

Under Brault’s leadership it raises about $600,000 a year to support operations. The clinic has helped as many as 8,000 patients in a year, at no cost to them.

“Grace Clinic is stable and strong largely due to Mark’s leadership,” said Avonte Jackson, clinic director, in a letter of support for his nomination.

He is “truly a bridge builder,” carving out relations with hospitals, health care providers, local and state government and other nonprofit organizations, said Bob Rosselli, president of Columbia Industries.

He was able to convince both Kadlec and Trios Health to commit to sending each of their third-year residents to Grace Clinic for a four-week rotation, Jackson said.

“This required an intense effort on his part to convince the hospitals to partner,” she said. “He was able to make it happen and pull off the ultimate win-win-win for all involved.”

Brault’s volunteer work does not stop at full weeks at the Grace Clinic.

Beyond Grace Clinic

He is an adviser and volunteer for the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, helping with their health and wellness program for the homeless, including development of a respite bed program for homeless men and women and helping find money for healthcare workers.

“(He) has demonstrated in both word and deed his great compassion for the homeless and struggling in our community,” said Andrew Porter, executive director of the Union Gospel Mission, in a letter supporting Brault’s nomination.

Brault served for 10 years on the board of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and currently is on the boards of Columbia Industries, Benton Franklin Community Health Alliance, the Healthcare Alliance and the Public Market. He is vice president of the Kennewick Public Hospital District.

He also helped the Blue Mountain Council of Boy Scouts through a difficult time and was a charter member of the Columbia Basin Non-Profit Association.

He brings a valuable set of skills to the nonprofits he helps — creativity in improving operations, an analytical approach to understanding problems, financial acumen, and a calm and personable personality, Rosselli said.

“If I did not know better I would conclude that ‘Community’ is his middle name,” Rosselli said.

He and his wife, Kathy, have a weekly dinner for four generations of their family, with 39 places set, according to his nomination.

The couple both have volunteered for Hillspring Church for about 40 years, including working on a program to provide Christmas gifts for prisoners.

“I am incredibly blessed to have lived in the community since 1970,” Brault said when he was honored Tuesday night. “If I am able to make a contribution to the community, there is nothing that means more to me.”

Brault was the first Tri-Citian of the Year named since 2019, after the program took a two-year hiatus during the COVID pandemic.

The honor comes with a $2,500 donation for a charity of the winner’s choice. This year the check is going to Grace Clinic.