Tri-Cities Community Health’s director of nursing has been named CEO of the agency.

The Board of Directors of the Pasco-based clinic recently selected Jennifer Robinson as its new chief executive officer. She is the first female CEO in the organization’s 35-year history.

“TCCH has a long history of providing primary care in our community for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. … We are group of highly skilled, caring individuals serving anyone who walks through our doors. That’s my passion, my love, for this organization, the staff, and the patients we serve,” she said in a news release.

Former CEO Al Cordova retired from the clinic in October after five years and is credited with helping turn around a clinic that was struggling financially and operationally. 

Robinson has worked tirelessly and moved seamlessly through the ranks at Tri-Cities Community Health, according to an agency news release.

When Cordova announced his retirement, the board conducted a number of interviews and ultimately decided to promote Robinson.

The clinic serves 24,517 patients a year and employs 296 people.

It primarily serves a low-income population as a federally-qualified health center, receiving state and federal money to provide health care to low income people with limited resources.

Robinson said Tri-Cities Community Health offers a full range of health-related services, such as primary medical care, adult and pediatric endocrinology, dental and mental health services, nutrition education; vision; pharmacy and translation services; care coordination and case management; and transportation. 

She joined Tri-Cities Community Health in May 2013 as the director of nursing, bringing with her a great deal of experience and a strong background in health care management. She previously served as director of nursing for Moses Lake Community Health Center and practice manager for Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

Prior to her time spent in health care administration, she worked as an intensive care nurse. Most notably, she worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for four years after completing a rigorous year-long fellowship training for intensive care nursing. 

In addition to her clinical and administrative experience, Robinson holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from Montana State University and a master’s of business administration from Baker College in Michigan. 

The agency’s administration and support programs are expected to move into a new $1.8 million building at 800 W. Court St. by the end of March. The move of the non-clinical staff is expected to free up space in the medical clinic and provide more patient and staff parking.

Tri-Cities Community Health is a private, nonprofit with offices in Pasco, Kennewick and Richland. It was incorporated in 1981.