May 14, 2013 – The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) has recognized four health professionals who work in Multnomah County in its annual Health Center Leadership awards program. OPCA’s awards honor Oregonians who contribute to the success of the state’s network of community health centers. Health centers provide comprehensive, culturally competent primary care to more than 333,000 Oregonians in medically underserved communities.
The local awardees are:
- Vanetta Abdellatif, director of integrated clinical services, Multnomah County Health Department. Winner of a Health Equities Award.
- Monica Gration, data analyst, Multnomah County Health Department. Winner of a Community Health Center Value Award.
- Nick Gideonse, medical director, and Ern Teuber, executive director, OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond. Winners of Leadership in Transformation Awards.
Vanetta Abdellatif is engaged in local and national health reform efforts focused on increasing access to health services and promoting health equity across communities. Monica Gration develops key systems- and local-level reports for health care providers, using data to drive improved patient care.
Nick Gideonse introduced dramatic changes at OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond to assure patients quick access to their primary care provider. He also shaped the quality and character of the medical education experience of residents assigned to his clinic. Ern Teuber helped develop a new payment approach for health centers. This alternative payment methodology gives health centers the flexibility to serve patients in a variety of ways beyond the office visit. It is well aligned with Oregon’s two main health care transformation models - the Coordinated Care Organization and the patient-centered primary care home.
OPCA gave Health Center Leadership awards to 13 professionals in five categories. Following is the complete list of 2013 honorees:
- Community Health Center Value Award: Monica Gration, data analyst, Multnomah County Health Department.
- Health Equities Award: Vanetta Abdellatif, director of integrated clinical services, Multnomah County Health Department.
- Innovation Award: Lynn Baker, process & systems improvement director, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (Washington & Yamhill counties); Ian Strauss, medical clinic coordinator, White Bird Clinic (Eugene).
- Leadership in Transformation Awards: Nick Gideonse, medical director, and Ern Teuber, executive director, OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond (Portland); Megan Haase, CEO, Mosaic Medical (Bend, Madras & Prineville); Lisa Hendricks, chief operating officer, and Ginger Scott, director of nursing, Community Health Center (Medford area); Gil Munoz, CEO, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (Washington & Yamhill counties); Mike Plunkett, founding dental director, Neighborhood Health Center (Clackamas & Washington counties); Liz Powers, owner/partner, Winding Waters Clinic (Enterprise).
- Sustainability Award: Rebecca McBee-Wilson, executive director, Lincoln Community Health Center.
Honorees received their awards at OPCA’s annual members meeting on April 26.
About OPCA:
The Oregon Primary Care Association is a nonprofit membership organization of 31 community health centers across the state. OPCA provides advocacy on public policy and technical assistance and training to members to enhance health equities and increase access to comprehensive health care for low-income and vulnerable Oregonians. Oregon’s health centers serve more than 333,000 patients through 200 clinic sites across the state. For more information, see http://www.orpca.org.
