Sister Gretchen has been a cornerstone for the Brazos Valley in terms of leadership, volunteerism, and generating support for countless groups by her unselfish donation of time, talents, dedicated service and willingness to "step in and step up" to worthwhile causes. In recognizing Sister Gretchen, Bryan/College Station Chamber officials cited her dedication to the health care ministry and to a host of organizations as tremendous contributions to the community.

She arrived in this community in 1981 and began her health ministry and mission at St. Joseph Hospital with "outstanding bills" on her desk and found herself financially unable to distribute payroll checks her first week as the hospital administrator. Her inspirational leadership has helped this healing ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis grow from a small community hospital into a regional medical center serving 13 counties and some 300,000 Brazos Valley residents. Her vision has brought major regional medical services to the community such as: heart, cancer, rehabilitation, surgical services, maternal/child care and Emergency Services.

The development of the St. Joseph Health System is testament to her determination that all citizens would have access to primary as well as tertiary level medical care. Communities throughout the area in Caldwell, Navasota and Madisonville now have local hospitals where primary and outpatient diagnostic care is available-as well as access to emergency services. Eight rural health clinics have been established in strategic locations throughout the region and offer primary care to local residents where, in many cases, there would be no medical services available at all.

The efforts of this determined and devoted community citizen did not stop with her efforts within the walls of St. Joseph facilities. She has devoted over 23 years to this community to improving health and living conditions for the less fortunate. She has worked with local physicians and advocacy groups to help establish: the Prenatal Clinic, Health for All Clinic, Project Unity, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, she has worked with state and national organizations to raise funds for medical research through the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and American Diabetes Association.

Sister Gretchen has worked tirelessly to provide leadership for the community -- from serving on the Boards of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and the Brazos County United Way, to supporting the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, KAMU-TV’s PBS station and the Opera and Performing Arts Society.

For her talent, her timeless hours, and her commitment to volunteering for the betterment of the entire Brazos Valley, the entire St. Joseph team congratulates Sister Gretchen Kunz as the recipient of 2004 Citizen of the Year Award from the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce.