Gretchen was appointed to dual positions in 2015, and served as the Director of Development and Communications, as well as the Executive Director of the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation. In late 2021, Gretchen was appointed Chief Development & Communications Officer and is responsible for the management and strategic oversight of marketing, community outreach, and fundraising operations for Samaritan Healthcare and the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation. Gretchen came to Samaritan from Vitalant (formerly known as the Inland Northwest Blood Center) where she served as a Territory Manager. Prior to Vitalant, she worked at Pullman Regional Hospital in Community Relations. Gretchen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Washington State University, and her Masters of Arts in Communications and Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.