GSI Mid-Year Economic Update: The Health Care Effect
Join us for GSI’s Mid-Year Economic Update, where we’ll take a close look at the economic impact of health care on the Spokane region. This year’s event will offer both a data-driven snapshot of where we are today and a forward-looking conversation about how health care’s rapid growth is shaping our community’s economic future.
This year’s program will feature two panels that examine the health care sector’s influence from different vantage points:
Panel 1: Health Care as an Economic Engine
Moderated by Frank Velázquez, Spokane Regional Health District
This panel will explore how the expansion of our health care sector is influencing key areas of regional development, including workforce trends and talent pipeline challenges; capital investments and health system innovation; and the broader economic ripple effect—support services, real estate, and population growth.
- John Browne, CHAS Health
- Alex Jackson, Multicare Health System
- Jennifer Robinson, Washington State University Health Sciences
- Justin Voelker, Providence Health Care
Panel 2: Business Growth in a Health-Driven Economy
Moderated by Marcelo Morales, Founder of A4 Ventures
This panel features Spokane-based companies that are innovating and growing alongside the region’s health care industry. Panelists will share why they chose to locate or expand in Spokane, how the strength of the health care sector influenced their decisions, and what opportunities they see ahead in this evolving landscape.
- Stephen Bone, Crimson Medical
- Kim Leiser, Allele Diagnostics
- Dan Roark, Gestalt Diagnostics
- Dylan Avatar, Credential Network
Whether you're in health care, business, or economic development, this event will provide critical insights, real examples, and a fresh perspective on the role of health care as a powerful economic driver in our region.