Salem, Ore. (January 23, 2018): Willamette Valley Community Health (WVCH), today announced Jeanne Savage, MD, will join the organization as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Savage comes to WVCH from Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. She will continue her duties as a Family Practice and Obstetrical care provider after starting at WVCH on January 15, 2018, and as a Legacy Silverton Health Medical Executive Committee Member.
As part of her role at WVCH, Dr. Savage will be tasked with establishing connections with community partners to enhance ongoing programs while creating new programs that address issues surrounding the social determinants of health. She will be responsible for reviewing the current services provided by WVCH to make sure high standards of care are maintained with an evidence-based approach. She will also work with the Oregon Health Authority and fellow CCO medical directors to best understand the needs of the local population to ultimately implement effective change, while sharing best practices and improving the health of Oregonians.
“It’s an honor to welcome Dr. Savage to the WVCH team. Through her career-long commitment to serving Medicaid members and vulnerable populations, she understands their needs and has creative and progressive approaches to providing high-quality care,” said Rob Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Willamette Valley Community Health. “Her clinical background encompassing full-spectrum family practice also gives her unique insight into the care needed for the entire family. We’re confident that her depth and breadth of experience is the right combination for WVCH as we continue our focus on building healthy communities.”
Dr. Savage comes to WVCH with a wide array of experience. She has been a family physician for 15 years, working in underserved communities of Woodburn and the surrounding areas in Marion and Polk counties, including at Salud, a federally qualified health center. She has also served on several committees at Legacy Silverton Hospital and currently chairs the Obstetrics department. As a Medical Executive Committee member, she has been a staunch advocate for bilingual education, health information and the ongoing challenges of diabetes and obesity. As part of those efforts, she launched a campaign at Legacy Silverton to remove all sugary beverages from the hospital while increasing the number of healthy choices. Her leadership on the WVCH Transformation and Quality Committee has evidenced her communication and facilitation skills in advocating for the Medicaid population.
“Building the health and vitality of our communities here in Oregon has long been a passion of mine. As the state’s second largest CCO, WVCH is on the front lines in providing high-quality, patient-centered health care, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the team as we continue to improve healthcare here in Marion and Polk counties,” said Dr. Jeanne Savage. “The next few years hold many challenges as we navigate changes happening at the federal and state level, but I’m confident that along with our network partners, we will come together to build a stronger tomorrow through our collective commitment to fostering healthy communities.”
Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Savage is a native Oregonian who obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, and attended medical school at Oregon Health and Sciences University. Her family practice residency was in Ventura, Calif., at a county hospital affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles.
About Willamette Valley Community Health
Willamette Valley Community Health (WVCH) is a coordinated care organization (CCO) dedicated to serving Marion and Polk County residents covered by the Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid. WVCH strives to provide a system that focuses on prevention and wellness that is integrated, patient-centered, cost-efficient and equitable. WVCH coordinates a network of over 600 healthcare providers, including physical health, dental health, behavioral health and addiction specialists, to improve quality and access to care for our more than 97,000 members.
About Coordinated Care Organizations
Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) are health plans that provide care to those who receive coverage under the Oregon Health Plan. Willamette Valley Community Health helps children, families, and adults in Marion and Polk Counties manage their health through quality, coordinated care.
