Whidbey Island resident Trish Coffey was one of three graduates of Mercer Island High School to be recognized with Pathfinder Awards at a recent ceremony.

The second annual Pathfinder Award recognizes graduates whose “achievements, strength of character, and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth to make significant contributions to humankind,” according to its website.

Coffey, Ph.D., is a program advisor and leader of the Health Technologies for Women and Children Group at PATH, a nonprofit global health organization. Coffey graduated from Mercer Island in 1979.

Coffey was selected from over 40 nominations submitted by the community and by a selection committee comprised of a high school teacher, two high school students, two former Mercer Island School District board members, a retired teacher, a city council member, community members and alumni and officials from the district and Mercer Island Schools Foundation.