Gretchen Steffenson

Gretchen’s present energy helps guests feel safe to discuss various topics and explore modalities and rituals for healing. During her 20+ years of experience in hospital settings, she assisted people of all ages and backgrounds as they experienced a variety of significant life transitions and events. “It’s important to find meaning around life’s experiences and consider the ways spirituality and existential exploration are involved in sustained wellness,” she says.

Before joining our Mind & Spirit team at Canyon Ranch Tucson, Gretchen worked at hospitals and health organizations, including positions with Tucson Medical Center, Carondelet Health Network, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and the University of Chicago Medicine.

When not at the Ranch, Gretchen likes to keep up with current research in spirituality, medicine, and public policy. You can also find her scurrying up boulders around Tucson, where she enjoys rock climbing. And while she loves the Arizona sunshine, her other active passion is cooling off with water sports--and trying new menus from interesting chefs.

Her words to live by? “You can walk through the valley of shadows, but you can’t camp there.” – Anonymous Chaplain