Confluence Health Announces CNO Transition

Beginning February 20, Tracey Kasnic will transition from serving as chief nursing officer (CNO) to a new role as vice president of special projects for Confluence Health. At the same time, Kelly Allen, Confluence Health’s CNO-elect for nearly one year, will step into the CNO role. In addition, Deb Glenn will assume the director of nursing services role previously held by Kasnic at Wenatchee Valley Hospital, while also continuing to serve as post anesthesia care manager.

Starting out in obstetrics helping to bring the youngest patients into the world, Tracey Kasnic has served Confluence Health for nearly 24 years, including over 20 years combined experience as a vice president of patient care services and a CNO. During her time as CNO, Tracey helped navigate a time of incredible change and transformation, including the recent building of a new post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). She was also an integral part of the Nurses for Tomorrow program, a partnership with the Wenatchee Valley College that awarded over $2 million to nursing students from 2001-2007.

“To say that Tracey has been integral to the success of Confluence Health is an understatement,” remarked Dr. Andrew Jones, CEO for Confluence Health. “She has been an incredible leader, collaborator, and steady hand as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and more, helping Confluence Health to continue and expand upon its commitment to provide our patients with industry-leading care. Her leadership is a testament to not only her character and ability, but to the teams that her work helped to foster and develop.”

While Kasnic is continuing to work for Confluence Health in her new role, the transition leaves big shoes to fill. Confluence Health is excited that the CNO position will be ably filled by Kelly Allen, who has been working alongside Kasnic in preparation for this transition as CNO-elect for nearly a year.

“I want to thank Tracey for her steadfast commitment to our organization during her service as CNO,” continued Jones. “We are excited to have her bring this expertise into tackling important strategic work in her new role as vice president of special projects, in particular our efforts to build up our nursing program and find innovative solutions to improve patient care. Tracey’s work as CNO has left a legacy reflected in the excellent care provided each day. As we transition, I can think of no one who I have more faith in to continue and expand on this work than Kelly Allen. In welcoming Tracey and Kelly to their new roles within our organization, I am excited to see what the future holds.”

About Confluence Health: Confluence Health serves the largest geographic region of any healthcare system in Washington State, covering over 12,000 square miles of Okanogan, Grant, Douglas, and Chelan counties. Confluence is one of only two locally-lead healthcare systems in the state with the purpose of maintaining availability and access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services for North Central Washington. The Confluence Health Board of Directors provides governance for Confluence Health, the Clinic, Central Washington Hospital, and Wenatchee Valley Hospital, and includes nine community board members and six physician board members.