Hats Off To Hospital Administrator Gilkey Retiring Monday, She’ll Remain A Voice In The Community
She’s retiring, but don’t expect her to disappear.
Priscilla Gilkey has spent 17 years wearing a closetful of hats. Now, she’s hanging up one - her job as the vice president of community relations for Empire Health Services, the company that manages Deaconess Medical Center, Valley Hospital and Medical Center and the St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute.
Colleagues have sent cards and flowers and thrown parties. Today is Gilkey’s last day. But Monday, she’ll still go to the board meeting for the Health Improvement Partnership. And Tuesday, she’ll still go to the board meeting for the Spokane Club.
“I know her days go from 7 in the morning to 7 at night,” said Marilyn Thordarson, spokeswoman for Sacred Heart Medical Center, former competitor and current collaborator of Deaconess.
“I hope for her, that she gives herself a little time out. Knowing Priscilla, she probably will stay very involved in the community.”
Gilkey, 56, is a slight woman with unflappable blonde hair who always looks professional. She plans to keep working on downtown improvements. She plans to stay involved with her many boards. A former high school journalism teacher, Gilkey hopes to get involved with education.
“There’s just a lot of things I haven’t been able to do,” Gilkey said. “I want to be able to play golf, not just play at it.”
Gilkey believes that people have the responsibility to be involved in the community, and she’s not just talk.
In 1991, she served as the general campaign chair for United Way of Spokane County, a campaign that raised more than $4.9 million. Gilkey was the United Way board president from 1986 to 1987. She’s served on the boards at the YMCA, KSPS-TV, Fairmount Memorial Association and the Arthritis Foundation. She’s worked with the Junior League of Spokane.
Gilkey was named a prominent public relations professional by the H. Whitney McMillan Co. in 1983 and selected for the YWCA’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Business in 1989. She’s the past president of the Spokane Club Board - the first woman to be elected to the position.
And she just got handed a new certificate - for setting up shop in more offices than any other Empire Health Services employee. In 17 years, Gilkey’s been in 13 offices.
“I just moved here last May,” said Gilkey, gesturing at her office, which is sparse except for the plants and medical manuals.
Gilkey became the public relations director at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in 1980, which evolved in 1987 into her current job.
She deals with the public constantly. She started doing radio health and safety tips. She’s worked on community health programs. She launched the quarterly health magazine Perspectives.
Colleagues point to her attention to detail and her ability to remember so many details.
“Here at work, it’s always pleasant to be around her,” said Terren Roloff, the other spokesperson for Empire Health Services. “I can always be confident if she’s having a rough day or a bad day, I won’t see it. She’s unbelievably steady.”
, DataTimes