ORPRN Staff
Practice Enhancement Research Coordinators (PERCs)
Kirsten has worked in several roles addressing the intersection between social determinants of health, behavioral health and medicine for a Federally Qualified Health Center as well as for Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). She managed a program restructuring and supported design of new programs to provide wraparound care in rural Oregon. Kirsten was also involved in the COVID vaccine roll out and was responsible for her organizations vaccines events. When not at work Kirsten is an avid cyclist and enjoys spending time outside with her rambunctious dog. Kirsten received her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Auckland and Bachelors of Education and a Bachelors of Art from Gonzaga University.
She is excited to be part of ORPRN and work in rural communities. She lives in Bandon and have seen the benefits of support from ORPRN in how care is delivered.
When not working Kirsten enjoys cycling (road and mountain) and spending time with her dog Marli. She also loves to read and dabble in quilting.
Priscilla joined ORPRN in 2020 after serving as a program coordinator for College Possible Oregon, a non-profit that works to support low-income students with college access and success. Prior to that, she worked as a case manager at a YMCA supporting a youth workforce development program.
She holds a B.A. in Ethnic Studies from the University of Oregon.
Priscilla loves that her work allows her to provide support for rural areas in Oregon, like her hometown of Nyssa. She enjoys traveling, hiking, boxing, eating tacos, and spending time with her family.
Before joining ORPRN in 2019, Cort worked as the alcohol and drug prevention and education coordinator with the Jackson County Public Health Department in Medford. He has also worked on a wellness initiative called the Blue Zones Project in Klamath Falls and Grants Pass
He has a B.S. in Communication Studies from Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls.
Based in Medford, Cort appreciates working with ORPRN because it allows him to get back to his roots working in community engagement with rural communities. When he’s not working, Cort enjoys mountain and road biking in the warmer months and skiing in the winter months. He is an avid reader, picking up just about anything recommended to him
Stephanie joined ORPRN in 2019 after working as a research coordinator in the psychiatry department at OHSU on projects related to long-term opioid use and chronic pain.
She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Oregon and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education & Counseling
Based in Portland, Stephanie says that working in healthcare research is gratifying because it allows her to be involved in improving the health and wellbeing of patients state-wide, and get to know a variety of professionals within the field of medicine. When not at work, Stephanie enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her son.
After 7 years as the Wellness Coordinator at the Eastern Oregon University Student Health Center, Kylie joined ORPRN in 2019. She has a B.S. in Health Promotion and Health Behavior.
Working at ORPRN gives her the opportunity to assist clinics with research and quality of care. Because she grew up in Eastern Oregon and is now based in La Grande, she especially values the work ORPRN does to enhance rural healthcare.
Being outdoors, photography, hanging out with her German shepherd, and family and friends are all pursuits Kylie enjoys outside of work.
Analysis
Chrystal spent her first year and a half at ORPRN as an NIH BUILD EXITO Research Scholar before joining as a research assistant in 2021.
She has a background in health promotion and developing health programming and services for underserved communities. Her experiences with this work are what led her to be interested in research that improves access and quality of healthcare. Her specific research interests include implementation science, qualitative analysis, and community engagement.
Chrystal has a BS in Health Studies with a minor in Philosophy from Portland State University. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling and reading.
Robert has a background in epidemiology, and more specifically, cancer and infectious disease epidemiology. More recently, he has been enamored with behavioral health research, mitigating health disparities related to sociodemographic factors, and changing societal norms. Robert has an MPH in Epidemiology from George Washington University, an MS from Hampton University, and his BS from Xavier University of Louisiana. Robert will be working with us remotely from Atlanta, GA.
He says what he likes about his position and the field of public health/research is asking the hardest questions to answer which is typically 'why'. Why is 'x' event happening? Why are 'y' people being affected? Why is 'z' place important? He likes asking the why questions because they help get to the root causes of health disparities, and negative societal norms. In doing so, he believes people can work together and shift these dynamics in communities and people hopefully preventing harmful outcomes.
He likes to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with friends, and learn new skills. He is currently on a kickball team and is taking Brazilian Zouk dance lessons. When he is not engaged in those activities, he says he'll be woodworking, cooking, or exercising in the gym.
Anders joined the ORPRN team on 8/15/2022. He was born and raised in Portland and attended the University of Oregon for his bachelor’s degree, where he was first introduced to sociology.
He initially began pursuing a PhD, but after receiving his master’s degree in sociology from the University of Chicago, decided to pursue other avenues of research. After moving back to Portland, Anders began work at the VA where he was introduced to clinical sociology and implementation science. An interest in research that more immediately connected to helping people led him to pursue implementation science and social determinants of health research, ultimately leading him to ORPRN.
When not pursuing research, he enjoys reading, writing, the outdoors, and supporting the Portland Timbers and Trail Blazers.
Prior to joining ORPRN in 2020, Jean worked as a research associate, data analyst, and program evaluator for STEM education and behavioral health projects with RMC Research.
She holds an M.S. in Data Analytics from Oregon State University and a B.A. in Cinema Studies from Oberlin College.
As a current resident of Estacada, she appreciates the opportunity to contribute her quantitative skills to supporting rural healthcare projects at ORPRN. When she's not crunching numbers, Jean enjoys learning new homesteading skills, growing food in her garden, and working on various art projects.
James joined ORPRN as an informatician after serving as a consultant on several projects including substance abuse risk screening, workflows for capturing social determinants of health at the point of care, and quality reporting for behavioral health integration.
He has over 30 years of experience working with large and small healthcare organizations to implement, use, and optimize a variety of EHR platforms. After 13 years with Cerner, he earned his Ph.D. and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Informatics at OHSU before dividing his time between teaching, consulting, and supporting independent medical practices improve clinical quality, patient satisfaction, and clinician experience through the use of health information technology.
Most recently, James served as director of clinical informatics with a large independent practice association, providing expertise in health IT, supporting members with quality reporting and incentive programs (MIPS, PCPCH, CPC+, ACO), population health analytics, integrating workflows for behavioral health, interoperability, and extracting and managing clinical data from a variety of EHRs.
Prior to joining ORPRN, Emily obtained her Bachelor's at the University of Oregon, where she studied Human Physiology and Global Health, and went on to obtain a Master's in Public Health from Portland State University.
While completing her degree she was a research coordinator for a nonprofit, ACT For Families, which provides parents and professionals knowledge and experience around family wellbeing.
Emily is based in Portland. One thing she loves about the work at ORPRN is that she is surrounded by likeminded people who promote the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations. Out of the office Emily enjoys doing hot yoga, listening to the podcast “On Purpose,” and spending quality time with family and friends.
Nithya formally joined ORPRN in 2021 after providing assistance on the CARAVAN project. Prior to joining ORPRN, Nithya was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the OHSU Department of Family Medicine focused on understanding how clinics make improvements in the way they deliver care and identifying which strategies are most effective across different types of clinics. She then spent a year and a half directing the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, leading efforts to strengthen and support the career and professional development of postdocs.
She holds a B.S. in Integrated Life Sciences from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Health Implementation Science from Virginia Tech.
Nithya is drawn to the opportunity to be part of a team that focuses on the community voice and the needs of rural Oregon. She is eager to dig into questions at the intersections of implementation science, social determinants of health, and community experiences. To recharge, she enjoys reading, baking, and exploring Oregon via kayak or on foot.
Mellodie worked as a student worker at ORPRN since July 2021 and recently completed a B.S. in Public Health, with a major in Community Health Promotion from Portland State University. She plans to continue her education and pursue an M.P.H. to further study the upstream individual, environmental, policy, and community-level factors shaping health disparities and the health of disadvantaged communities.
Melodies’ experience as a student worker at ORPRN has strengthened her general research and administrative skills as well as her ability to support current and future research projects aimed at improving health equity and attenuating health disparities faced by rural Oregonians.
She is looking forward to working more closely with and getting to know folks on more of ORPRN’s projects. In her free time, Mellodie enjoys spending time outdoors, snuggling with her cats, watching Star Trek, and trying a hand at new recipes.
Before joining ORPRN in 2023, Mike worked as a research associate for the Oregon Child Care Research Partnership analyzing policy effects on childcare recipients, families, and providers.
He obtained his MPH in Biostatistics at Oregon State University. Prior to that, Mike obtained an Associates in Nursing from BCTC in Lexington, KY and worked as an RN in a wide variety of clinical settings, including rural critical-access hospitals. Witnessing the disparities in healthcare while working in a rural ER directly led him to pursue a career in public health, with a focus on improving numeracy and the understanding of complex information using statistics. He is excited to join ORPRN as a member of a team dedicated to improving the education and wellbeing of those served by rural health professionals, as he served on the front lines in similar communities during the pandemic.
Outside of work, he enjoys keeping pace with advances in technology and science by listening to podcasts, such as “the skeptics guide to the universe”, watching shows with his spouse and cat, and bouldering. Originally from NJ, he lives in Corvallis with his wife Patti who studies wildlife management and conservation practices.
Research Project Management
Passionate about advancing public health, Briana (she/her) entered the field after working domestically and abroad in agriculture. She is passionate about the intersections of public health and food systems, climate adaptation, health equity, and, informed by her own rural upbringing, advancing opportunities for those living in rural areas.
Briana fosters a deep connection with food and the land and by spending most days elbow deep in the garden and pursuing adventure by backpacking, rock climbing, and alpine skiing.
Briana earned her MPH from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and a BS in Animal Sciences from Washington State University.
Brittany joined ORPRN in 2020 with a background in direct patient care, chronic disease prevention program management, care management department coordination, and primary care operations.
She earned her B.S. in Health Studies: Community Health Education from Portland State University and her M.P.H. from the University of Arizona.
Brittany enjoys her work at ORPRN because it allows her to participate in health systems transformation through community-based participatory research. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two kids.
Leah (she/her) joined ORPRN in 2020.
She was raised in Oregon and did her undergraduate studies at OSU. She completed her dietetic internship at OHSU and earned her MPH from OHSU-PSU.
Leah is passionate about health care quality improvement and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to promote health, especially among older adults. She worked as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in a long-term post-acute care facility for 11 years doing clinical assessments and food service management. She spent 5 years at the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), Comagine Health.
In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking and paper crafting.
Jennifer came to ORPRN in 2019 after working at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research for more than 15 years as a Scientific Editor, Project Manager, and Team Manager. She has also acted as a consultant for CareOregon managing a cancer screening program.
She earned her B.S. from Carnegie Mellon and her M.S. from Reed College.
Jennifer has worked with Melinda Davis as a research partner for several years and is excited to join ORPRN because it gives her an opportunity to help work on eradicating urban-rural health disparities. She notes that helping people access these kinds of screenings can save lives.
Outside of work, you can find Jen traveling (or dreaming about travel). She also likes hiking, reading, and cooking.
Prior to coming to ORPRN, Kendall worked at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, coordinating study activities for the ECHO PATHWAYS project, an NIH funded study looking at how environmental exposures effect the health and development of children. Kendall got her BS in Public Health from OSU and her MPH in Community Health Sciences, with certificates in Global and Reproductive Health, from UCLA. Kendall’s passion for health equity and justice, particularly for those most marginalized, lead her to work in public health. She values community based participatory approaches and is excited to continue this work with ORPRN! In her free time, Kendall enjoys getting outside, gardening, reading, spending time with her husband and pets, and cooking.
Laura joined ORPRN in 2018. Previously, she worked as a research coordinator on clinical trials and qualitative studies at the University of Washington Medical Center; an administrator at the University of Washington Institutional Review Board; and an administrator at the Group Health Cooperative (Kaiser) IRB.
She has a Master’s degree in Demographic and Social Analysis from University of California at Irvine.
A resident of Hood River in the Columbia Gorge, she is delighted to contribute to improving the wellness and healthcare of people who live in rural areas. She enjoys serene kayaking, hiking and especially tent camping with her husband and two young children.
Tuesday joined ORPRN in 2019 after serving as a Disease Intervention Specialist with Multnomah County Health Department. She also has served as a Health Educator and Compliance Specialist Lead for the Oregon Health Authority Immunization Vaccines for Children Program and as the HIV Prevention Coordinator for Deschutes County Health Department.
She earned her B.S. in Public Health from Oregon State University.
She enjoys going on walks with her two Maltipoos, visiting the Oregon Coast, exploring wine country with her husband, and visiting family in Central Oregon.
Bethany joined ORPRN in 2023 with a background in healthcare payment and delivery reform, with over a decade committed to health justice in community health, rural health and as a Medicaid contractor.
She holds an M.P.H. with a concentration in public health policy from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
The opportunity to work in health policy implementation at ORPRN aligns with her belief in public policy as a powerful tool for equity.
In her spare time, you can find Bethany wrangling her giant breed dog named Circe and listening to early 00’s hip-hop.
Mary joined ORPRN in 2019, after working as the Operations Manager for a group of dental practices and coordinating a research network with tribal groups in the Yukon River watershed.
She recently earned an M.B.A. in Healthcare from the OHSU/PSU School of Public Health and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Whitman College.
ORPRN is a good fit for her because she has always been interested in the political landscape of rural communities—her work allows her to help communities navigate challenges and improve quality and access to care.
Reading, camping, hiking, and baking are activities she enjoys outside of the workplace.
Kati joined ORPRN in 2021 after managing population health projects at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, focusing on topics ranging from cancer screening and palliative care to adolescent reproductive health.
Originally from Panama, she holds a B.A. in Spanish and Psychology with a minor in Latin American Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.S. in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas.
In her spare time, Kati enjoys everything BBC and cats, and she is looking forward to exploring Oregon's outdoor activities.
Martha began her career at ORPRN in 2017 after having worked for several types of employers, including the CDC, research institutions, and non-profits. She has always focused on helping disadvantaged populations get access to healthcare.
She received her M.P.H from Emory University, and her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon.
Getting to know the people face-to-face who serve their communities in Oregon is the most rewarding part of her work at ORPRN. When she isn’t at work, she likes to play Scrabble and cuddle with her cats.
Prior to joining ORPRN in 2021, Sara worked for the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at OHSU, managing a research project focused on improving the health, safety, and well-being of sedentary workers. She also spent two years in rural Panama serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Sara holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and an M.P.H. from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. She values the opportunity to contribute to health equity work in Oregon by addressing upstream health factors and creating large scale impact.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys backpacking and gardening, eating chocolate, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Research Assistants
Prior to joining ORPRN as a Research Project Coordinator in 2022, Hannah served as ORPRN's Accountable Health Communities AmeriCorps VISTA. Her year of service supported various health equity projects focused on bridging the gap between healthcare and the social determinants of health.
Hannah earned her B.S. in Environmental Public Health from The Ohio State University, where she deepened her passion for sustainability, collaboration, and advancing health equity.
In her free time, Hannah enjoys painting, cooking, and hiking.
Ferrik joined ORPRN in 2020 after working for the Portland Art Museum's events team. They also volunteered at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education with the collections and archives team, maintaining their physical collection.
They hold a B.S. in Social Sciences focused on History and Archaeology from Portland State University.
Ferrik is excited to help make healthcare more accessible for all Oregonians. When not at work, they enjoy spending time at home with family, playing games or reading a good book.
Cristina comes to ORPRN from the Oregon Law Center as a paralegal, providing legal resources for tenants facing eviction. Additionally, as a certified Community Health Worker (CHW), she has valuable experience working with diverse low-income populations. Her educational background is in Community Health Education and she is interested in pursuing an MPH.
Cristina's goal is to reduce health disparities, especially among the Latino/Hispanic Community, and her desire to have a role in community-engaged research that further reduces disparities for underserved populations.
In her free time, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, and – fun fact – did pole vaulting in high school!
Prior to joining ORPRN, Kristina received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from OHSU-PSU School of Public Health with a specific focus on Community Health Promotion. Her community health coursework has provided her with great understanding of advancing health equity and the impact of social determinants of health.
After earning her degree, Kristina led research and data collection for COVID-19 outreach and education strategies and was a part of a variety of projects to advance health equity for a community-based organization. She values ORPRN's mission to improve health equity for all Oregonians through community partnership because it aligns with what drives her work in public health and what she is most passionate about.
Kristina is excited to use her skills at ORPRN to support a variety of projects to advance health equity and eliminate health disparities. In her free time, Kristina enjoys spending time with family, baking, and practicing yoga.
Kat joined ORPRN full time in 2021 after working as a student research assistant on the Accountable Health Communities project. She recently earned her B.A. from the School of Social Work at Portland State University, where she was also a Build EXITO Scholar.
Originally from Colombia, Kat's experience as an immigrant has informed her passion for reducing health disparities and connecting people with culturally and linguistically appropriate resources.
Outside of work, Kat enjoys volunteering with youth organizations, listening to live music, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Prior to his time at ORPRN, Fazeel worked as a Pediatric Neurology clinical research coordinator at Maine Medical Center and an EMT/Firefighter for his hometown of Veazie, ME. He has a dual B.S. degree in Microbiology and Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of Maine.
Growing up in Maine, he is passionate about addressing health disparities that exist in rural communities. He aspires to be a physician and use what he has learned with ORPRN and past work experiences to aid in research and advocacy for rural health access.
In his free time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and skiing. He also loves cooking, reading, and telling ‘dad jokes’.
Matt joined ORPRN in 2022 with a background in human subjects research at the VA's Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care. He holds a B.S. in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Informatics from OHSU.
Matt is excited to be a part of the Meta-LARC ACP team to explore shared decision making and implementation to better serve communities. When he is not working, Matt loves to be outside, from camping with his dog, Cash, to backcountry rafting trips.
Jessica joined ORPRN full time in 2021 after serving as a student research assistant on the Accountable Health Communities project.
She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Portland, where she did research related to inclusivity and acceptance on campus.
She is eager to contribute to the valuable work ORPRN does using a communication lens, and she finds it meaningful to work alongside people who are just as dedicated to inclusivity and equal opportunity within the healthcare realm.
Outside of work, Jessica likes to spend time with family, thrift anything and everything, make art and read.
Prior to joining ORPRN as a Research Project Coordinator, Claire supported data collection for the AHC Study as a Student Worker beginning in 2020. Claire has worked in diverse roles in food systems and community health, including extensive farm to institution education and procurement technical assistance and coordinating clinical community partnerships.
Claire’s research interests lie in environmental exposures and chronic illness, especially the influence of diet and climate change on Type II Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular disease.
Claire holds a Master of Public Health from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, and a B.A. in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College. Through her work at ORPRN Claire hopes to contribute to meaningful systems change that result in more equitable health resource access and healthier environments for all Oregonians.
In her free time Claire enjoys making food for friends, gardening, listening to live music, and spending time outside.
Xavi joined ORPRN in 2018. Prior to joining ORPRN, she spent five years at State Farm as a customer service representative.
Xavi has a B.S. in biology from Washington State University and a Masters in Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University.
Xavi appreciates being able to contribute to many projects within ORPRN as well as how the research ORPRN does connects directly to practices and changes the way they interact with their patients. When she’s not at work, Xavi volunteers at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington as an interpreter. She also likes to watch anime, play Dungeons & Dragons, and go salsa dancing.
Marissa went to Oregon State University for a year and moved back home, where she completed her education at Portland State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health: Pre-Clinical sciences. Marissa is interested in pursuing a nursing career and going back to school in the future.
One of the things she values most in life is healthy living and promoting healthy living, so her position with ORPRN is a great way to learn more about and participate in the ways in which we can progress towards a world where everyone can have equal and equitable access to live with optimal health.
Marissa stays busy a lot more than not, but when she does have free time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, binge watch movies, paint, and loves to travel and explore! If the sun is out, she tries to spend time outside because she loves the sun!
Prior to joining ORPRN, Alex obtained an MPH from Boston University, where she specialized in Community Health Sciences: Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation.
While completing her degree, Alex both interned with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on a home visiting QI project and served as the editorial assistant for a public health journal based at the University of Utah.
Working at ORPRN gives her the opportunity to help improve access to care for marginalized communities in rural areas. Outside of the office, Alex enjoys reading, writing, and training for her next half marathon.
Prior to Joining ORPRN as a Research Project Coordinator, Kerry worked at ORPRN as a Student Worker, initially on the AHC project and later on the EOCCO team. She started at ORPRN in September of 2020 and has since finished her M.P.H. in epidemiology from OHSU-PSU’s school of public health.
Kerry primarily grew up in West Linn, Oregon, and briefly hopped over to the east coast where she did her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her primary research interests are firearm injury and violence prevention and increasing access to rural healthcare.
Kerry loves to spend her free time hiking, camping, baking, and reading. She dabbles ever so slightly in skiing and kayaking. Kerry has really enjoyed her time at ORPRN reaching out to patients on AHC and connecting with grantees on EOCCO. She looks forward to enjoying more time with ORPRN; addressing social determinants of health and healthcare access for rural Oregonians, building meaningful relationships with community members/organizations, and improving her research skills.
Mariana's educational background includes a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University with Cum Laude honors and certification in Horticultural Therapy through the successful completion an Internship with Legacy Health Hospital Therapeutic Garden Program at the top 10% of HT students.
Her most recent professional work has included working within an AAM Accredited Museum in the Columbia Gorge, as well as a role as an Ecology Educator through a Nonprofit Institute for youth and direct involvement as an integral part in the formation of a Nonprofit serving Hispanic communities in the Portland Metro area supporting Emotional Intelligence Education. In the future she looks forward to entering the Neuroscience field and pursuing an MPH through OHSU & PSU.
Mariana is drawn to ORPRN’s focused work with rural populations and ethos that build community and relationships. She looks forward to contributing, promoting and lifting these integral and underserved communities through the many projects and community enhancing opportunities that ORPRN highlights.
Living in the Gorge gifts her the opportunity to explore natural spaces through hiking, trail running, practicing yoga and meditation. Some of Mariana’s personal projects involve education of regenerative and sustainable agriculture, to empower each individual to thrive in efforts that lead to positive collaborative impacts. She also volunteers as a Naturalist with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, and volunteers horticulture hours through the local Master Gardeners.
Mariana's family likes to say she is living a “contemporary-Little House on the Prairie” lifestyle, where she spends time in her garden, cooking and trying new recipes, creating art in nature, photography and taking care of her many furry friends, with the loving partnership of her high school sweetheart.
Isabel joined ORPRN in 2018 after working at the Oregon Health Authority, where she worked in the Immunization Program for the Vaccines for Children Program.
She has a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University and a Master's in Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Isabel is based in Portland and she appreciates that working at ORPRN allows her to get out into the community and enhance the delivery of care for all Oregonians. In her free time you can find her zipping around Portland on her moped, exploring a nearby mountain, or at PDX getting ready to depart on an adventure.
Mari joined ORPRN in 2022. Previously she was a program coordinator for OHSU’s wellness and fitness facility and a research coordinator for a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial and serology studies. Prior to OHSU, she worked for Providence in Hood River as a cardiac rehabilitation exercise physiologist.
She has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Linfield University and starting in the fall of 2022 will begin a master’s degree program with the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health in public health practice.
She is interested in community outreach, research and projects that support sustainable change that is relevant and specific to that particular area and population.
ORPRN aligns with her passion to reduce the incidence of chronic disease by identifying the barriers and unique needs within certain populations and facilitate improvement to healthcare equity.
Mari balances her work/life with outdoor activities, mainly surfing, mtn biking and hiking with her husky. She also volunteers on a committee for the Tillamook County Wellness coalition that aims to reduce negative health outcomes in the local communities by improving access to physical activity.
Tiff joined ORPRN in 2020 after completing her M.A. in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She holds a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Previously, she worked as a research assistant for TransCollaborations, a project with aims to create principles of transgender affirming healthcare throughout Nebraska.
She is passionate about equitable access to healthcare and excited to support ORPRN's research efforts that have meaningful impacts on Oregon's communities. Outside of work, Tiff enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with her two cats.
Leadership
Melinda started at ORPRN in 2007 as a practice facilitator (aka PERC) and became faculty in 2010 following the completion of her Ph.D. in Social-Developmental Psychology from the University of Vermont. In 2022 she stepped into the role of Interim Director. Before joining ORPRN she facilitated challenge course activities, managed her university’s outdoor program, and sailed around the world as a deckhand.
She is energized by getting to work with partners in Oregon and around the world to improve health and health care delivery, build cross-sector collaborations to address upstream determinants of health, and to blend implementation science and improvement science. Her work also helps her stay engaged with rural parts of the state. To recharge, she enjoys outdoor activities and exploring new places, especially when they take her to places where there’s no access to technology.
Prior to joining ORPRN in 2015, Caitlin worked for OHSU’s department of OB/GYN on research projects focused on patient safety and improving teamwork and leadership among healthcare personnel.
She holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Denver and an M.P.H. from Oregon State University.
She is grateful for many aspects of her work including engaging with practice staff and community members and feeling like the work ORPRN does makes a difference. She appreciates that her job utilizes her talent for problem solving and putting out fires. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and dancing with her young child, baking, reading murder mysteries, running, hiking, and volunteering.
Ms. Goff is a health policy enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the field. She has dedicated her career to cultivating leadership for large scale health systems and policy change through bringing together diverse partners- governments, academics, nonprofits and businesses. She has done this work at state and local government agencies; national and international nonprofit organizations; and as a private consultant. She brings experience in systems and policy change; cross-sector collaboration; community engagement; evidence-based practice; organizational development; and addressing the root causes of health and equity.
Ms. Goff received her Masters in Public Health from Portland State University with a concentration in sustainability, and her Bachelors in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Ms. Goff resides in Oregon with her husband and two young sons.
Alisa joined ORPRN in 2015 with a background in human resources and administration from her years at the community mental health agency Morrison Child and Family Services.
She holds a B.A. in theater from Portland State University.
Alisa is happy that working at ORPRN allows to her use her knowledge and skill set to improve systems and participate in serving communities. Outside of work, she has hiked more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, sings with the Portland Peace Choir, and enjoys swing dancing.
Anne has worked in health care research and administration at OHSU for over 17 years and is the Project Director for the Accountable Health Communities project which is working to implement social determinants screening and navigation for Medicaid and Medicare members in 9 Oregon counties. She serves as principal investigator for several projects focused on improving health and health care for Oregon’s Medicaid populations.
Anne earned a B.A. at Smith College and an M.B.A. and a Certificate in Public Administration at Boston University.
Anne loves the variety and challenge of her position and appreciates that her work through ORPRN allows her to make a difference. Her extra-curricular passions include spending time with her family and volunteering with a local animal shelter.
Maggie joined ORPRN in 2015 after starting her OHSU career as curriculum development manager for OHSU’s employee wellness program.
She earned her B.A. in Business Administration and her M.P.H. from George Washington University.
She enjoys planning projects and creating programming that is valuable to ORPRN’s partners. Her wellness background means she is particularly interested in preventive care and wellness in primary care and its ability to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. When not at work, she loves to hike, cook, and travel. She also has a passion for singing with others.
Senior Advisors
Dr. Betlinski assumed the role of clinical advisor to the Oregon ECHO Network in 2021 after serving as the lead faculty for the Adult Psychiatry ECHO since 2014.
Betlinski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at OHSU, where he also is the Director of the Division of Public Psychiatry. He also serves as Medical Director for the Oregon Psychiatric Access Line about Adults, as Program Committee Chair for the Oregon Psychiatric Physicians Association, and as a certified trainer for adult and youth Mental Health First Aid.
LJ founded ORPRN in 2002 and lead the organization until he stepped down as Director in 2018.
Prior to founding ORPRN, he established the Dunes Family Health Care clinic in Reedsport, which was designated one of the 13 model rural practices in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Rural Practice Project. He joined the Department of Family Medicine at OHSU in 1993.
He is passionate about connecting with primary care practices and their health care teams because it teaches him what is relevant and meaningful to the care they provide to their communities.
An avid birdwatcher, LJ enjoys traveling, exploring Oregon’s rivers, and connecting with his kids and grandkids on the East Coast.
Prior to joining ORPRN in 2015, Bruce served two Oregon Governors as the Director of the Oregon Office for Health Policy and Research and the Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services. He was the founding Director of the Oregon Health Authority. He has also been a practicing clinician, a county health officer, a medical director for a managed care organization as well as a teacher/academician.
He is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed his family medicine training at Duke University.
The opportunity to improve the health and well-being of Oregonians is what drives him, but he also makes time for his passions: family, pizza, outdoor recreation, the New York Yankees, and playing in a working R&B band.
Administrative
Isabelle became part of the ORPRN team in 2022. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2015.
In 2020, she started working at the medical university Rocky Vista University in Colorado, before moving to Portland and pursuing a career with OHSU, where she a maintains a passion for healthcare, and access to healthcare.
In her personal life, Isabelle enjoys playing video games with friends, and watching horror movies.
Miriam joined ORPRN in 2018. Prior to that, she worked as a health coach and has had a long career as a journalist.
She has a B.S. in Health Studies from Portland State University.
She enjoys using her skills and education to improve health in individuals and populations. When not working, she enjoys trail running, hiking with her daughter, bike commuting, and cooking.
Students and Volunteers
Daisy is a Portland State University student pursuing her bachelor's degree. She is happy to be part of a team that cares for their patients. In her free time, she likes to be athletic such as, running or weightlifting.
Justin joined ORPRN in 2023 and he’s currently earning his Bachelor’s in Anthropology with a minor in Public Policy from Dartmouth College. He has valuable qualitative research experience focusing on health equity, including black maternal mortality and LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare.
After Dartmouth he hopes to earn his masters and go on to law school. He is particularly interested in the impact of health policy on marginalized communities, and he hopes to continue being a part of initiatives that can improve health communication across the United States.
While working at ORPRN Justin hopes to expand his research expertise so that he can help a wider range of communities. Specifically having grown up in New York City he hopes to get more insight into rural health issues. In his spare time Justin volunteers with children, plays video games, writes, and walks his dog.
Bahar is a first-year undergraduate Student at Portland State University Honors College, majoring in Public Health, on a pre-medical track. She aspires to become a physician that provides accessible healthcare for low-income communities, refugees, and undocumented residents. Knowing that her work will have the potential to save lives and bring hope to families, communities and society as a whole, gives Bahar a deep sense of motivation and inspiration to pursue medicine.