Glenn Adams joins Cascade Medical as new Chief Operating Officer

Cascade Medical Center has named Glenn Adams, a longtime healthcare leader in North Central Washington, as its new chief operating officer.

Adams brings more than 25 years of experience in pharmacy, hospital operations and rural healthcare administration to the upper valley medical center. In his new role, Adams will oversee inpatient and outpatient operations while working with department leaders across the organization to ensure quality care for the community.

“I enjoy sort of the global picture of designing a system that helps us deliver the care that our patients need,” said Adams.

Adams started as a pharmacist before moving into hospital administration over a decade ago. Over the span of his career, he has served patients and healthcare organizations throughout the region, including Central Washington Hospital, Wenatchee Valley Medical Group, and later Confluence Health. He has also previously partnered with Cascade Medical during earlier periods of change, including efforts around medication takeback programs and pharmacy services.

“I love being connected to the community. It's why I've always worked in more rural settings, like North Central Washington, and particularly community-based organizations,” said Adams.

Cascade Medical CEO Diane Blake described Adams as a collaborative leader with an ability to build strong relationships across teams and departments. She added that his mix of experience, leadership, and community understanding makes him a strong addition to the Cascade team.

“He is a strong fit for what we need right now,” Blake said. “He understands operations and the

regional picture and how it all connects. His background as a pharmacist brings an important

care perspective. He is humble and down to earth, and he focuses on the work and the people

doing it.”

Adams describes his leadership style as one grounded in presence and relationships, ensuring people feel valued, heard and empowered. 

“Relationships are critical. Relationships with the people you work with, relationships with the community, relationships with our patients. I think that's why patients pick the care that they receive,” said Adams.

His people-first approach also includes creating moments of levity in what can often be a high-stress environment. Adams said he’s known to dress in costume now and then just to make people smile.

“Healthcare is hard, and having fun is important,” said Adams. “We're all human. And again, relationships are important, and fun is part of that.”

Looking forward, he hopes to help build a structure that continues to improve on Cascade Medical’s quality patient care and expands access to patients in the upper valley.

“I do think that having a hospital and an outpatient clinic in this upper valley is a huge benefit to the community and the patients, so that they don't have to travel as far to get healthcare,” said Adams. “Creating better access for primary care and behavioral health services is pretty exciting.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media