HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Regional Healthcare Systems announced Thursday that Chuck Welch has been named vice president, chief development officer. In this role, Chuck will assume responsibility for growth throughout the HRHS service area.

Welch grew up in Montana and is a graduate of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, with a degree in Cardiopulmonary Science and Respiratory Care.

Welch’s career path first took him to Anchorage, Alaska, for a position with Providence Medical Center. Chuck then returned to his home state for a position as a respiratory therapist and flight medic for Deaconess Life Flight in Billings, Montana.

In 1998, he entered the pharmaceutical industry and later the pacing industry as a sales representative for Boston Scientific. His advancement with Boston Scientific led him and his family to Wichita, Kansas, where he led a team of representatives and clinical specialists in Kansas and Oklahoma. During his time in medical sales, he developed a passion for business development, marketing and customer relations.

EagleMed of Wichita recruited Chuck to return to the air medical industry as the national director of business development. Following the buyout of EagleMed by Med-Trans Corp, Chuck wore many hats including vice president of business development, director of partner development for the mid U.S. and, most recently, the U.S. division director of fixed wing services.