Julie Bennett (She/Her)

Senior Executive Assistant

Julie joined the Willamette Health Council team in June 2023. With her extensive experience in healthcare administration and a passion for serving the community, Julie plays a crucial role in supporting the Executive Director and Deputy Director, and coordinating the daily operations of the office.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare administration, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge to the health council. She has worked in the behavioral health field and has specific expertise in working with the Oregon Health Plan population. Her deep understanding of healthcare dynamics and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others make her an invaluable asset to the Willamette Health Council team.

Julie studied Medical Office Management at Monterey Peninsula College, equipping her with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in her role. Born and raised in Oregon, Julie returned to her home state in 2005 after living out of state for 10 years. She shares her home with three children, and her two beloved cats, Cora and Charlie-Bear. Outside of her professional life, Julie indulges in her passion for reading and attending concerts. Her diverse interests reflect her well-rounded personality and her dedication to finding joy in life’s experiences.

Mariah Balderrama (She/Her)

Community Investments Coordinator

mbalderrama@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Mariah first joined the Willamette Health Council as their inaugural intern in March of 2023; in May of the same year, Mariah was hired as the health council’s new Community Investments Coordinator. In her role, Mariah coordinates all aspects of grant program management, as well as assists in the development of communications. Mariah is also helping to develop the health council’s internship program, which she is incredibly excited about since she began as an intern for the council. Before entering into Public Health work, Mariah graduated from the Evergreen State College in 2017 with a focus in Eurasian History and Literature. After several years, Mariah returned to academia and completed her second Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Health from Willamette University. While at Willamette, Mariah became passionate about engaging in work that aims to increase health equity through addressing and reducing social disparities.

Andrea Dābler

WHC Partners Coordinator

adabler@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Andrea is the WHC Partners Coordinator with 33 years of healthcare experience. Andrea spent her first 13 years working in adult and child outpatient clinic settings. For the past 20 years, Andrea has enjoyed her role providing executive level support in the healthcare industry. Her experience in this field has allowed her to develop a better understanding of the intricacies of the healthcare industry, navigate complex systems, and manage logistics. Andrea’s passion lies in building and supporting systems while focusing on the finer details, keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Andrea was raised in Salem, Oregon and is a graduate of South Salem High School. Her upbringing in the area has instilled in her a strong sense of community and a commitment to serving others.

Lisa Parks

Clinical Advisory Panel Program Manager

lparks@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Lisa has 23 years of nonprofit, county government, and clinical experience. She has worked as a Mental Health Practitioner, Behavioral Health Rehab Practitioner, and Qualified Mental Health Associate. In these roles, she advocated for adults, adolescents, and children with severe behavioral health disorders, and developed and taught Dialectical Behavioral Therapy programs. Lisa also has deep experience in Health Information Technology (HIT) with a focus on quality improvement, HIT statewide system integration, and electronic health record program training and development. Lisa joined the Willamette Health Council in 2021 as the Clinical Advisory Panel Program Manager. In her role, Lisa collaborates with healthcare providers on best clinical practice and health care quality improvement strategies for the Marion-Polk community. Lisa was born in Oregon, has lived in Minnesota, Central America, and traveled extensively to Michoacan, Mexico, focusing on the culture and language of the Purépecha people. Her combination of education and experience in behavioral health and HIT contributes to her passion for being a leader of advocacy for the community.

Heather Pascoe, MPH (She/Her)

System of Care Program Manager

hpascoe@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Heather has experience in public and community health, policy, quality assurance, program evaluation, and patient experience within the health plan and nonprofit spaces. In 2020, she was hired by PacificSource Community Solutions as the System of Care Coordinator and eagerly agreed to continue this work with the Willamette Health Council as the System of Care Program Manager in July of 2022. Prior to working with the health council, Heather worked at Samaritan Health Services and Avamere. As the System of Care Program Manager, Heather manages the System of Care governance structure including the Executive Council, Advisory/Practice Level Committee, and additional workgroups and subcommittees focused on resolving barriers in the community for youth and their families. Within the community, Heather participates in a variety of community-based initiatives and has led fundraising efforts for local community-based organizations. Heather is a native of Oregon, born in Woodburn, and resides in Wilsonville with her significant other, Max, and 4-year old border collie, Maya. Heather holds a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology with minors in Public Health and Health Policy and a Master’s of Public Health (Health Management and Policy) from Oregon State University.

Sarah Smith (She/Her)

Community Advisory Council Program Manager

ssmith@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Sarah has over 15 years of state government, health plan, and nonprofit experience, having worked in the Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) world since its inception in Oregon in 2012. As a healthcare advocate, she has championed several local and state-level health initiatives including Measure 110 implementation. Sarah joined the Willamette Health Council in June 2022 as the Community Advisory Council (CAC) Program Manager. She facilitates the CAC’s involvement in making regional SDOH-E funding decisions, the Community Health Assessment/Community Health Improvement Plan body of work, and overall community engagement strategies. Prior to the health council, Sarah served as Provider Relations Manager for Yamhill CCO. Currently, Sarah is a member of the Mid-Willamette Valley Health Equity Coalition and has a passion for ending the homeless crisis in the Marion-Polk region. She was born and raised in Oregon, living in the Salem area for most of her life where she currently resides with her husband, two children, and two cats, Penny and Tiny. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from George Fox University.

Trisha Kumar, MPH (She/Her)

Community Health Program Manager

tkumar@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Trisha joined the Willamette Health Council team as the Community Health Program Manager in April 2023. She is passionate about contributing to a healthcare environment that promotes thriving instead of surviving. She firmly believes that who you are and where you live should not dictate your ability to connect with accessible and effective healthcare. On behalf of the health council and the Marion-Polk CCO, she collaborates with local health system partners and organizations to lead the development and implementation of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), focusing primarily on initiatives working to improve behavioral health, substance use, and housing for the region. Before the health council, she worked as a Hatfield Fellow for The Malden Collective, implementing LiveWell, a quality assurance and performance improvement program for assisted living and residential care communities in OR, WA, CA, and ID. She also worked as a program evaluator for the Doernbecher Gender Clinic and has held other various roles in the healthcare and service industries where she has fostered a love for connecting with and helping people. After receiving her BA with a major in Biology and a minor in theater with a focus in dance from Lewis & Clark College, she attended the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health to receive her master’s in public health in Health Systems Management & Policy. Though she was born and raised in California, she has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest and has called it home since 2012. She currently resides in Portland, with her husband and two retired racing greyhounds. A serial hobbyist, she enjoys social dancing, birding, and sewing, among many others.

Justin Hopkins, MA (He/Him)

Executive Director

jhopkins@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Justin has over 20 years of nonprofit, government, and behavioral health managed care experience. He has spent his career working to create policies and practices that lead to better health outcomes for communities. In partnership with local healthcare leaders, Justin helped establish the Willamette Health Council in 2019, serving as the initial Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. In June 2020, Justin was hired to lead the Willamette Health Council as the organization’s Executive Director. Justin grew up in the Salem area, where he attended Sprague High School. He currently resides in Salem with his wife, Marisa, two children, Maleah and Miles, and their dog, cat, and bunnies. Justin enjoys surfing, fishing, and spending quality time with his family. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Sociology and English, and a master’s degree in Human Services from Warner Pacific University.

Josie Silverman-Méndez, MPH (She/Her)

Deputy Director

jsilverman@willamettehealthcouncil.org

Josie has over 15 years of nonprofit, state government and health plan experience, having led numerous community health and social justice initiatives. She joined the Willamette Health Council as Deputy Director in September 2022. As Deputy Director, Josie oversees programs, community investment strategy, and communications for the organization. Prior to the health council, Josie served as the Director of the Marion-Polk Coordinated Care Organization at PacificSource. Currently, Josie is a member of the Health Equity Committee of the Governor’s Racial Justice Council. She also chairs the Marion-Polk Community Health Collaborative, which is the local leadership group that oversees the region’s shared Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Josie was born in Idaho, grew up in the Dallas and Salem areas (a graduate of Sprague High School), and has lived, studied, and worked in Seattle, New York City, South and Southeast Asia, and Central America. She resides in Salem with her husband, Jose, and their puppy, Chispa. Josie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Philosophy with a minor in Medical History and Ethics and a master’s in Public Health from Columbia University.