I am delighted to announce that Michael Sorensen, MPA has stepped into the new role of executive director of NCNM Clinics, reporting directly to me. Michael is responsible for the administration and operations of the NCNM Clinic, NCNM’s Beaverton Clinic, the community clinics and the call center. Reporting to Michael are: Rae Wright (NCNM Clinic); Lori Knowles (community clinics and Beaverton Clinic); and Brenda Sodowsky (call center and NCNM reception).
He will collaborate closely with his counterpart, Dr. Regina Dehen, who will continue to carry significant responsibility in her role as dean of clinics and chief medical officer. Regina will serve as NCNM’s medical director with responsibility for overseeing patient safety, healthcare quality assurance, and health outcomes; evaluating medical processes and delivery; and complying with local and federal healthcare policies. Together, Regina and Michael will work with Nichole Wright (director of Ancillary Services) to develop a unified plan for the delivery of all aspects of healthcare within NCNM clinics.
Drs. Melanie Henriksen and Laurie Regan, the deans of the Schools of Naturopathic Medicine and Classical Chinese Medicine, will continue to be responsible for all aspects of program curricula and student clinical training. As such, they will continue to work closely with Regina to ensure the successful clinical education of all NCNM medical students.
Michael brings extensive experience as an executive administrator in a variety of Portland area nonprofit, government organizations focused on community health and welfare in the Portland area. In addition to receiving a Master of Public Administration from Portland State University, he has been the executive director of Children’s Relief Nursery (a child abuse prevention agency), Samaritan Counseling (a nationally accredited mental health organization) and Mālama Pono Health Services (an AIDS service organization in Hawaii), responsible for the aspects of operations.
Through his consulting firm, Michael provided services to many local organizations, including running a school-based clinic for Multnomah County and helping the Coalition of Community Health Clinics expand healthcare safety-net services. He has successfully fundraised more than $27 million in the past decade for the Native American Rehabilitation Association, Native American Youth and Family Center, and most recently for Cascade AIDS Project, among others.
Michael has a passion and know-how in supporting and serving the community—a passion that I know will serve NCNM and NCNM clinics exceptionally well. As NCNM continues to grow and expand, we must continually ensure excellence in all aspects of our clinical operations—for our students, faculty clinicians and patients. I am confident that Michael will bring a fresh approach to our clinics that will further strengthen the strong foundation that we have created over many years through the contributions of many of NCNM’s outstanding staff, faculty and students, past and present. Please join me in welcoming him to NCNM. You can stop by his office in NCNM Clinic or meet him at the Clinic’s Open House on Feb.20. His email address is [email protected].
