MEET THE HOSPITAL BOARD

Jeff Elbracht, director of facilities and finance for University Recreation at Washington State University, has served on the Board of Commissioners for seven years. Born and raised in Nebraska, Elbracht received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Nebraska and a master’s of business administration from Washington State University. He and his wife, Jill, have two children, Tyler and Nathan. In addition to his Board of Commissioners position, Elbracht also officiates high school football in southeast Washington and serves as volunteer youth sports coach for baseball and basketball. “The leadership at Pullman Regional Hospital is progressive and committed,” Elbracht said. “Leadership is ensuring that we can maintain local control and quality through a proactive financial approach instead of a reactive approach to the unpredictable, changing dynamics in healthcare.”

Tricia Grantham has substantial work experience in the medical industry, including work as a medical social worker. She also has a degree in social work and a minor in aging from San Diego State University. In the past she worked at a home health and hospice organization that taught her about disease processes, patient/family/physician dynamics and the hospital’s role as a leader in the delivery of healthcare. “I believe that one of the most important attributes hospital leadership exhibits is the commitment to creating an environment where staff can learn, improve and grow professionally as individuals and as team members,” Grantham added. “They recognize how crucial these values and overall philosophy are to achieving quality patient care.”

Sandra O’Keefe, an oncology nurse at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, has been a commissioner for five years. O’Keefe received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from University of Washington in 1980 and completed her registered nurses training in 1991. She and her husband, Michael Neff, an associate professor of crop biotechnology at Washington State University, have two daughters: Alexandra and Samantha. “The hospital has done an amazing job planning for on-site expansion to meet the growing needs of our community,” O’Keefe added. “I am looking forward to the prospect of having centers for Learning and Innovation as well as Women’s and Children’s Health included on the hospital campus.”

Cheryl Oliver is the Associate Dean for Professional Program at Washington State University. Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education with an emphasis in K-8 teaching. She later earned her Master's in Education Administration with an emphasis in higher education administration and student affairs. She also holds a Master's of Business Administration. She is presently a member of the Pearson's Online Learning Services advisory council.

A longtime Realtor and partner with RE/MAX Home and Land, Joe Pitzer has been on the Pullman Regional Hospital Board of Commissioners since 1996, when the hospital was still located on the Washington State University campus. He has served as board president and vice president during his 18-year tenure. Pitzer is a graduate of Washington State University with a business administration degree. “Our hospital is not just the building,” said Pitzer. “We are actually a district that is involved in physician practices and joint ventures to keep high-quality healthcare on the Palouse.”

Karen Karpman is a trained clinical neuropsychologist and a 20 year resident of Pullman, WA. She worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice in Pullman since 1998 until her retirement in 2015 during which time she was a member of the allied health staff of the hospital. Karen is a member of the Women’s Leadership Guild, Pullman Regional Hospital Auxiliary, and the hospital’s Ethics Committee. “As a patient, I have witnessed first-hand how important it is to maintain the highest level of compassion and quality care for the people served by Pullman Regional Hospital.

PJ Sanchez is the Home Loan Sales Manager for Washington Trust Bank and has been with the company since the Pullman branch opened. He is a WSU alum and moved back to Pullman in 2009. PJ and his wife Kelli are originally from the Tacoma area. PJ served on the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as Treasurer, and is active in volunteer service clubs Kiwanis and Lions. He started on the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation Board in 2016 and assumed the role of Vice President from 2018 to early 2020.