Jeannine Grinnell, MHA, CPA, has been named chief executive officer at Valley Medical Center, a UW Medicine hospital that serves communities south of Seattle. Grinnell is the first female CEO at Valley, joining Cynthia Hecker, CEO of University of Washington Medical Center, and Sommer Kleweno Walley, who was recently named CEO of Harborview Medical Center.
Grinnell has worked at Valley for 20 years, rising through finance positions to serve as chief financial officer and superintendent of Public Hospital District No. 1, the oldest and largest district in Washington. In January 2021 she was appointed interim CEO after Rich Roodman announced his retirement.
"Jeannine has served with distinction in leadership roles at Valley Medical Center," said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics, and University of Washington vice president for medical affairs. "With her appointment as CEO, the residents of South King County can be confident that Valley will continue to provide outstanding primary and specialty care at its hospital and clinics."
Donna Russell, chair of the hospital's board of trustees, expressed her support, saying "Jeannine has thoroughly demonstrated her leadership strengths and resolve throughout the pandemic. She is a smart, accomplished leader who earns the respect and trust of everyone with whom she works.
Grinnell said she is "humbled by the opportunity and so proud of this organization."
"Like so many of our staff, I feel passionate about what we do and who we are: dedicated to taking care of our community like family," she said. "I am honored to have served this community, and to have a role in which I can foster our incredibly special culture into the future."
