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Don’t be fooled by Jason Yost’s boyish looks or his age.

The 22-year-old is as serious as a C-SPAN Senate debate. This happens to be one his favorite shows, too, which is quite telling.

So Yost’s run at the District 2 seat on the Lee Memorial Health System board of directors isn’t some college prank. He’s sincere about the countywide Nov. 7 election. Even though he still gets carded when he’s out with friends, he sounds like a polished politician. And he has credentials to back up his words.

“I’ve always been interested in decisions that are made concerning patient care. I think serving on the board is a good way to effect positive changes,” Yost said, sitting in the kitchen of his parents’ Cape Coral home. “Nothing against the perform- 

ance of my opponents, but I hope people are willing to give me a chance to bring in some fresh ideas. I think it’s a good way for the youth, it’s a forward way to think about the future because there are going to be some dire needs in health care.”

Yost would be the youngest person to ever serve on the 10-member board. And probably the only one who still lives at home.

His current opponents, incumbents Jim English and Nancy McGovern, are feeling even older than their true ages.

“I’m a little offended that people are saying I’m old enough to be his grandmother. I’m only 51,” said McGovern, who has served eight years on the board. “I guess it is possible. I think it’s great that he has such a strong interest at his age.”

English, who at 79 is old enough to be Yost’s great-grandfather, doesn’t think age matters.

“There are 18- and 19-year-olds who could make some good decisions for the hospital,” said English, who is a retired priest. “And there are some 80-year-olds who might make bad decisions.”

Yost certainly made some solid education decisions.

At Fort Myers High, he graduated summa cum laude with a 4.82 GPA. He spent a year studying economics at Harvard University. Then he moved on to the University of Michigan to take advantage of its political science program. Yost also found time to work on President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign as an intern for Karl Rove and Matthew Dowd.

“I’m learning that local politics is much different than the national scene,” said Yost, with his khakis and button-down navy blue shirt, even dressing like a young conservative. “But I have a great passion for politics.”

Yost originally wanted to be a doctor, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.

While his experience doesn’t add up to McGovern’s 30 years as an RN, Yost knows the Lee Memorial system. At the age of 15, he started as a volunteer transporting patients. He became a licensed EMT in high school. He even saved the hospital $3 million in one year by reviewing patient records for incorrect billing information. Yost currently works as a registration clerk in the emergency room at Cape Coral Hospital.

Yost’s campaign strategy: a grass-roots door-to-door effort.

McGovern considers Yost a serious candidate and will treat him like one.

“You don’t care if they are 22 or 82, you enter a race to win,” McGovern said.

And Yost wouldn’t want to be treated any differently.

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Tom Hanson’s e-mail address is: tahanson@bonitanews.com