Editor's note: This is the first of two articles on a "changing of the guard" at Highline Medical Center in Burien. This week we profile retiring administrator and chief executive officer Paul Tucker.

Two things are certain about Paul Tucker's departure after 28 years at the helm of Highline Medical Center.

When he steps down as administrator and chief executive officer at years' end, Tucker will leave behind a health care complex that is dramatically different than the community hospital in Burien that he took over in 1978.

And once retired, he won't ride off into the sunset. Tucker, 60, has plans that could keep him busy another 28 years.

Under Tucker's guidance over the last three decades, the hospital has grown from a 105-bed local facility to a major center that offers comprehensive, cutting-edge medical services to the growing population of southwest King County.

This was accomplished even as major changes were occurring in the way many of these services are delivered to patients.

Yet Tucker, modestly brushing aside compliments for his achievements as administrator, is quick to credit the medical center's board of directors for their support in making this progress possible.

Likewise, he praises the Highline physicians, nurses, technicians and staff who set the tone, provide patient care and make everything work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mark Benedum, who has served as the administrator of Highline Specialty Campus since 1984 and the chief operating officer of Highline Medical Center since 2000, will succeed Tucker effective Jan. 1.

Looking back during a recent interview, Tucker said, "The major things we wanted to accomplish we've been able to accomplish. There are a lot of things I'm really proud of....

"I'm proud of the fact that we've been able to take a good hospital, a good foundation, that was pretty limited in what it did, and build it into a better medical center providing more comprehensive care.

"I'm proud of the appearance of the facility and the whole Planetree aspect," he continued.

As a Plantree affiliate, Highline Medical Center combines advanced medical technology with compassionate, personalized health care.

Tucker said Highline's purchase of Riverton Hospital in Tukwila, which now is Highline Medical Center/Specialty Campus, was a "milestone" in the development of the medical center.

"Until then, we were two small hospitals trying to do everything," which involved the duplication of expensive medical equipment.

"We were competing. Now we're cooperating. I'm very proud that we were able to make that happen," he said.

But, Tucker declared, "the thing I am most please of is still the feeling of the organization and the people.

"I'm very pleased that I've got a great hospital board that really cares, and a great medical staff and a great hospital staff."

It's not surprising, then, that what he will miss the most is "the people, the interaction with the medical staff and the hospital staff."

Why, then, is Tucker-who has described himself as a "servant leader"-retiring now?

"It's time," he said. "I just turned 60. I'm still young enough. I'm in great health. I never felt better. And there are a bunch of things that I want to do."

An active member of the Mormon Church, Tucker said he wants to become more involved with humanitarian programs of his church.

"It's time I gave back" to Special Olympics, he continued.

He and his wife have two adult sons who are mentally retarded and live with them.

"They've been involved with Special Olympics all their lives, and that's really helped them," Tucker added.

He also hopes to set up a small non-profit business that goes beyond a sheltered workshop "that will be good for my boys and others. That is a good thing to do."

Tucker also hopes to study everything from computers to history, although "it will probably take a year just to do home projects."

But even in retirement, it's likely that the health care system will remain a primary interest of Tucker's.

"The biggest challenge for health care, and Highline is no exception, is money," he said. "Including the 50 million people without health insurance.

"At Highline, we spend a huge amount of time taking care of people who don't have any money."

Yet health care delivery is a "quality issue ... to make sure that the quality of care that people get is really good," Tucker observed.