Portland, OR – The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) Board of Directors has announced Joan Watson-Patko as the new Executive Director of OPCA. Watson-Patko most recently served as the West Region Senior Director of Primary Care Systems at the American Cancer Society, Inc.
“I am delighted to announce that Joan Watson-Patko will be joining OPCA as its next Executive Director,” said Ron Hjelm, OPCA Board President and Executive Director at the Community Health Centers of Lane County. “Joan was selected as a result of a national search, with applicants from 13 states. Joan brings almost twenty years of program development experience to the organization, including extensive history working with community health centers as well as with other community service organizations. Her passion and commitment to serving vulnerable populations is evident in her leadership roles. I know we all look forward to welcoming her to continue to build upon OPCA’s leadership role in the transformation of primary care services to achieve equity for all Oregonians.”
Watson-Patko comes to OPCA with a career history focused in areas of social determinants of health and core issues related to access, equity, and empowerment of communities and populations experiencing poverty and marginalization. She has overseen and led programs and services supporting diverse communities in areas of education, workforce development, health, housing, and self-determination. She previously worked for a regional association of community health centers in Los Angeles, Calif., where she oversaw programs and services to support the evolving needs of member health centers.
“Primary care associations have a fantastic opportunity and important charge to support their member health centers in meeting needs and ultimately improving health outcomes and the lives of patients and families who otherwise would not have access to primary care,” said Watson-Patko. “I’m excited to join such an innovative, mission-driven organization as their Executive Director. I look forward to working with the OPCA team, member health centers, and key stakeholders who are leading in the transformation of care to meet needs for the future and ensure that the over 400,000 Oregonians receiving care at our member community health centers continue to receive exceptional care.”
Laura Sisulak, Senior Director of Strategic Projects and Interim Executive Director at OPCA, said Watson-Patko “brings a blend of passion for the work of community health centers and the mission of OPCA as well as experience in leading complex programs and organizations to achieve impactful outcomes.”
OPCA’s previous Executive Director, Craig Hostetler, served the organization for 17 years before founding a health care consulting firm in March.
About OPCA:
OPCA is a non-profit membership association of Oregon’s 32 community health centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and those who support them. The organization’s mission is to lead the transformation of primary care to achieve health equity for all.
OPCA believes all people, in Oregon and beyond, should have the chance to lead their healthiest lives and have access to equitable health care. Oregon Primary Care Association supports a network of community health centers that deliver exceptional health care to people in urban, rural and frontier communities who may otherwise not have access to services. By helping health centers apply innovative approaches to health care delivery and system challenges, OPCA is transforming primary care in Oregon and beyond.
