Jeanie Viera, RN, executive director, Providence Hood River
After an impressive 45-year career dedicated to health care, we’re announcing the retirement of Jeanie Viera, RN, our chief executive at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital (PHRMH). All of us who know her recognize that Jeanie is a person of Providence and she leaves behind a history of compassionate leadership.
Jeanie’s story has its start right at the hospital in Hood River, where she was born! From a young age, Jeanie always aspired to be a nurse, and her journey began in 1980 as a certified nursing assistant at the hospital.
Following her passion, she pursued her education and gained valuable experience in the Willamette Valley before returning home in 1991 as a critical care nurse.
Jeanie transitioned into a leadership role in 1994, where she proved to be an invaluable asset to our hospital and community. Her tenure has been marked by significant milestones, including the hospital’s transition to Providence in 1999, the employment of physicians in 2000, the evolution to critical access in 2004, the Epic conversion in 2014 and the pandemic in 2020. Through good times and challenges, Jeanie has provided guidance rooted in resilience and grace.
In the true style of her servant leadership, she is giving us time to get started on recruiting the next leader for this ministry and will remain in her role until mid-July.
Please read Jeanie’s personal note below, and join all of us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for her decades of service.
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It is with mixed feelings that I share my plan to retire in mid-July. While I am excited about beginning the next chapter of my life, I am mindful of the many challenges currently facing healthcare. Nevertheless, I have unwavering confidence that Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and all the ministries in our service area will remain trusted institutions, delivering compassionate and high-quality care to all those we serve.
I am working closely with our leaders to ensure a smooth transition. My last day will be July 12.
It has been a distinct privilege to serve this community, especially because it’s the community where I was born and raised. Since returning to Hood River 34 years ago, I have had the honor of working both as a nurse and a leader. Though each of these roles presented unique challenges at times, I learned quickly that nearly anything is achievable when we work together for the benefit of others.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary team. I am proud to have been a caregiver and leader at Providence and am deeply grateful for what we accomplished together.
— Jeanie Vieira, RN, chief executive, Providence Hood River
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