Jack and Susie Evans: Inspiring a Legacy of Compassionate Care

For Jack and Susie Evans, Confluence Health is more than just a healthcare provider—it’s woven into the very fabric of their lives. Jack devoted 16 years as CEO of Central Washington Hospital, playing a crucial role in building the foundation for what Confluence Health is today. Meanwhile, Susie’s expertise as a registered nurse fueled her exceptional service as a volunteer with hospice and Mobile Meals of Wenatchee, touching countless lives with her kindness and dedication.

When the Evans family moved to Wenatchee in 1996, they brought with them a shared dedication to uplifting the community, along with Jack’s unique ability to unite stakeholders and strengthen the region’s healthcare system. But on December 16, 2016, the importance of their work became deeply personal. Jack suffered a life-threatening cardiac event, and it was the very cardiac program he had helped establish that ultimately saved his life. “The cardiac program saved Jack’s life. He had a very severe cardiac incident, and had it not been for this program, Jack would not be here,” Susie reflected, her gratitude unmistakable.

As CEO, Jack had been instrumental in the effort to formalize the cardiac care program under the leadership of Dr. John Rowles—a complex and essential addition to the hospital that required collaboration among physicians, healthcare leaders, and staff. This teamwork wasn’t just about building infrastructure; it was about saving lives—including Jack’s own.

“The last thing I remember when I got to the emergency department was someone saying, ‘Dr. John Rowles is in the building, and there is an operating room available’ and then I came to five days later,” Jack reflected. “They saved my life.”

Jack and Susie’s journey serves as a powerful reminder: healthcare is not just something we support for the benefit of others. Someday, each of us may find ourselves or someone we love in need of compassionate, high-quality care—often during our most vulnerable moments. The dedication and skill of our local medical teams can mean more time, more hope, and more memories with our families.

This life-changing experience deepened Jack and Susie’s bond with Confluence Health and strengthened their commitment to giving back. Jack believes that everyone in the community is an active stakeholder in the healthcare system’s success. “We’ll all have a moment where we need care, either for ourselves or someone we love. That’s why we’re all invested in Confluence’s ability to provide the highest quality care in those moments. This is our local health system, and I want to help it be the best it can be—not only for me and Susie, but for everyone in our region.”

Motivated by gratitude and a vision for the future, Jack and Susie established the Jack and Susie Evans Endowment. This transformative gift is designed to empower future generations of healthcare professionals across North Central Washington. The endowment’s earnings will fund scholarships, helping to nurture a talented and compassionate workforce and ensuring that lifesaving care remains available for years to come.

The Evans’ story is both a tribute to community leadership and a rallying call to action. Their enduring legacy demonstrates how individuals and families can profoundly impact local healthcare—not just through service, but through generosity and forward-thinking vision. Every donor, regardless of the size of their gift, plays a vital role in inspiring and educating tomorrow’s healthcare heroes, supporting life-saving programs, and protecting the health and well-being of all who call our region home.

Generous donors like Jack and Susie Evans aren’t simply giving to a healthcare organization—they’re investing in hope, healing, and a brighter future where world-class care is always close to home when you need it most.