Gretchen has been in the healthcare industry for her entire career. Her first degree was in Exercise Science. She worked in multiple clinical settings and for the American Heart Association. She then decided to pursue a degree in nursing. She became an RN in 2005 and worked in the Pediatric ICU, then adult and pediatric home health and hospice.

In 2016, she moved into the business sector and currently works for BlueCross BlueShield of TN. She started in clinical case management and connected members with community resources they needed to maintain and/or improve their health. This included a targeted focus on overcoming barriers to care. Currently, she works in a clinical and financial data analytics role. 

She has been involved in a variety of community organizations throughout her career. These include the Arthritis Association, National MS Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters,  UTC Alumni Council, Humane Education Society, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.