Pamela Kaleal
Pam Kaleal is a dedicated Project Manager at PeaceHealth - St John Medical Center, where she has contributed over 18 years of service. With a background in human resources management, earned from Washington State University, Pam combines her expertise in personnel administration with a passion for leading construction projects that enhance healthcare facilities and support community well-being. Emphasizing precision, efficiency, and thoughtful design, Pam is committed to developing spaces that promote safety, functionality, and comfort for patients and staff alike.
Throughout her career, Pam has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to professional growth and personal courage. She believes in taking initiative, embracing challenges and always acting with integrity—something she hopes to share with her peers. Her approach to leadership and project management centers on building confidence, creating a thriving team environment, and encouraging teams to dream big, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Beyond her professional achievements, Pam values resilience, determination, and integrity. She is motivated by a desire to make meaningful contributions to her workplace and community while inspiring others to pursue opportunities with confidence, even when they feel unprepared. Her long tenure at PeaceHealth reflects not only her expertise but also her dedication to serving others and creating lasting positive impact.
• Washington State University- B.A.
• American Society for Healthcare Engineering
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I've learned that the values and lessons instilled early in life often carry you through even the toughest paths. Growing up as a young girl in a large, loving family - with guidance from my mother, grandparents and extended relatives - gave me the confidence to explore, make mistakes and grow. I'm also thankful for the strong professional women who believed in me and offered mentorship when I needed it most. Now, I feel called to do the same - to guide and inspire those just starting their own professional journeys.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “fake it till you make it.”
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to develop your own management style and stay true to it. Be proud of who you are, what you stand for, and the values that guide you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a Project Manager in the healthcare setting the challenges are many, with finances taking the lead, but consistently you must manage construction without compromising patient safety, infection control and clinical operations. Phasing projects to avoid disruptions, maintaining strict dust, noise and air controls and coordinating all facility shutdowns with the entire hospital are just a few challenges. But that is the essence of healthcare construction. It is a specialized sector. Even with the challenges that exist I still see many opportunities for the profession due to rising demands for healthcare due to aging populations, delivery care model changes and more.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, and kindness.