Nominations NOW Open!
Submit Your Nomination Before Feb 10, 2025
Award Winners Will be Celebrated During OPCA’s Annual Conference on March 31, 2025
Celebrate Your Colleagues!
Each year OPCA takes pride in honoring the Oregonians who do outstanding work to deliver integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services to our communities. Potential nominees include but are not limited to: community health center staff members, community leaders, and organizational partners.
OPCA is accepting nominations for:
This awardee takes a service leadership approach to supporting their community health center. They have inspired their team and/or their community to transform a set of resources into something greater than the sum of its parts. They constantly work to reimagine what is possible in community health.
Examples:
- Built new services or programs that are uniquely adapted to the needs of the community
- Partnered with other nonprofits in the area on a new initiative
- Improved patient care through process changes
- Integrated HIV/STI prevention into primary care
- Integrated AI to improve efficiency
This awardee collected research and utilized data to solve a problem at their health center. Their findings were essential in turning information into action. They provided an evidence-backed foundation for new policies, procedures, and/or other operational infrastructure that is more efficient than ever before.
Examples:
- Used data to successfully make the case to develop new programs, policies, and other social infrastructure which further health equity
- Identified and solved a recurring obstacle in patients’ health journeys
- Optimized a workplace process with new technology or data-supported technique
This awardee has unique insights into the challenges patients face before they arrive at a health center and after those patients leave. This awardee acted on their awareness and addressed a recurring barrier. Their solution is also sustainable – even if it’s outside the typical scope of care provided at health centers.
Examples:
- New forms of outreach – street health, mobile health, harm reduction clinics, LGBTQIA+ care expansions
- New or expanded support services programs – food assistance, CHWs, exercise and cooking classes, behavioral health
- Community support during crisis like wildfires, floods, heat/cold extremes, power outages
- Communication that goes above and beyond in patient care like extra translators/translation services, ADA accessibility expansions
This awardee consistently pursues justice for their community. They create or support innovative strategies which advance inclusive practices in health care. Their efforts create lasting improvements in the health and well-being of marginalized communities.
Examples:
- DEI initiatives which improve conditions for historically excluded groups in the workplace and/or in the delivery of health services
- SDOH outcome improvements within a community through a new process or service
- Programs beyond traditional health services which nevertheless improve a community’s overall health
This awardee champions policies which support the work of community health centers in Oregon. They tactfully engage with government agencies and legislators to amplify community voices. They are skilled at building partnerships across departments or across organizations.
Examples:
- Provided valuable insights on national issues like substance use, housing and health, etc. to the media, policy makers, and/or the general public
- Championed an issue before a policy making or regulatory body and inspired change
- Health centers partnering with legislators, policy makers, regulators on new programs
How to Apply
OPCA’s Board Members review applications for Annual Awards, and we are looking for nominations which highlight the positive impact individuals make in their communities. Good story telling helps us understand nominees’ heroic journey, i.e. identify the obstacle they faced, how they overcame it, and how the community changed as a result of the nominee’s efforts.
*The sample application is based on the fictional show “Parks and Recreation,” with allusions to Portland’s history with Benson Bubblers
Annual Awards Archive
Recent Award Winners
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2024 – Outstanding CHC Advocate and Lifetime Achievement profiles
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2023 News Release and Blog Posts
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2022 News Release and Blog Posts
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2021 News Release
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2020 News Release
OPCA Annual Awards of Excellence Winners 2019 News Release
| 2018 | Lacey Beaty | CHC Advocacy Award |
| 2018 | CCC Business Intelligence Team | CHC Value Award |
| 2018 | Sherlyn Dahl | Innovation & Leadership in Transformation |
| 2018 | Rick Kincade, Md | Innovation And Leadership in Transformation |
| 2018 | Erika Armsbury | Growth Award |
| 2018 | Multnomah County Refugee Clinic | Health Equity Award |
| 2018 | Sandy Giardini And Miguel Angel Herrada | Health Equity Award |
| 2017 | Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz | CHC Advocacy Award |
| 2017 | Maria Vargas | CHC Advocacy Award |
| 2017 | Len Barozzini | Innovation And Leadership in Transformation |
| 2017 | Rosewood Family Health Center | Innovation And Leadership in Transformation |
| 2017 | Jennifer Stewart | Employee Engagement |
| 2017 | Angelica Zavala Ruppe | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2016 | Joe Chapman | Employee Engagement Award |
| 2016 | Mary Gonzales Lundy | Growth Award |
| 2016 | Ken Rhee | Innovation & Leadership in Transformation |
| 2016 | Ned Mossman | CHC Value Award |
| 2016 | Keri Scott | Innovation & Leadership in Transformation |
| 2016 | Dr. Elizabeth Aughney | Innovation & Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2016 | Charla Dehate | Growth Award |
| 2016 | Community Health Centers Of Lane County | Growth Award |
| 2016 | Dr. Nick Gideonse | Innovation & Leadership in Transformation |
| 2016 | Lydia Anne M. Bartholow | Health Equities Award |
| 2015 | Kevin Heidrick | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2015 | Marlene Putman | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2015 | Sam Chase | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2015 | Ken House | CHC Value Award |
| 2015 | Ginny Cornyn | Sustainability Award |
| 2015 | Billie Kay Stafford | Growth Award |
| 2015 | Nara Diabetes Treatment & Prevention Program | Innovation Award |
| 2015 | John Bischof | Innovation Award |
| 2015 | Lynn Smith Stott | Innovation Award |
| 2013 | Gil Munoz, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Ern Teuber, OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Megan Haase, Mosaic Medical | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Nick Gideonse, OHSU Family Medicine At Richmond | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Liz Powers, Winding Waters Clinic | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Ginger Scott, Community Health Center | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Lisa Hendricks, Community Health Center | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Mike Plunkett, Neighborhood Health Center | Leadership in Transformation Award |
| 2013 | Vanetta Abdellatif, Multnomah County Health Department | Health Equities Award |
| 2013 | Lynn Baker, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Innovation Award |
| 2013 | Ian Strauss, White Bird Clinic | Innovation Award |
| 2013 | Monica Gration, Multnomah County Health Department | CHC Value Award |
| 2013 | Rebecca-McBee Wilson, Lincoln County Health Services | Sustainability Award |
| 2012 | Luke Barsalou, La Clinica Del Valle | Growth Award |
| 2012 | Susan Marie, Central City Concern | Primary Care Home Award |
| 2012 | Kelly Volkmann, Benton County | Health Equities Award |
| 2012 | Gil Munoz, Virginia Garcia Medical Center | Health Equities Award |
| 2012 | La Clinica Del Valle (Maria Ramos Underwood, Simon Parker Shames, Ida Saito, Angelica Ruppe) | CHC Value Award |
| 2012 | Lane County (Jeri Weeks, Eric Van Houten, Carla Stout) | Sustainability Award |
| 2012 | Jim Coffee, Coastal Family Health Center | Professional Engagement Award |
| 2011 | Tracy Fossen, La Clinica Del Valle | Professional Engagement Award |
| 2011 | North Portland Health Center Advisory Council | Sustainability Award |
| 2011 | Jim Coffee, Coastal Family Health Center | Outstanding Innovation Award |
| 2011 | David Stevens, Md, NACHC | Outstanding Innovation Award |
| 2010 | Lynn Baker, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Exemplary Leadership Award for Sustainability |
| 2010 | Laura Byerly, Md, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Exemplary Leadership Award for Sustainability |
| 2010 | Tom Fronk, Benton County | Exemplary Leadership Award for Viability |
| 2010 | Rachel Solotaroff, Md, Central City Concern | Exemplary Leadership Award for Sustainability |
| 2010 | Samuel Suk, Md, Coastal Family Health Center | Exemplary Leadership Award for Growth |
| 2010 | Ben Westlund | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2009 | Frances Conedera, Multnomah County Health Department | Exemplary Research and Innovation Award |
| 2009 | Mindy Stadtlander, Multnomah County Health Department | Exemplary Research and Innovation Award |
| 2009 | Bill Thorndike, Oregon Health Fund Board | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2009 | Ann Turner, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2009 | Joel Young, Oregon Department of Human Services | Leadership Award |
| 2008 | Vanetta Abdellatif, Multnomah County Health Department | Leadership Award |
| 2008 | Central City Concern | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2008 | Lyle J. Fagnan, OHSU/ ORPRN | Exemplary Research Award |
| 2008 | Jennie Hamilton, OPCA | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2008 | OHSU Richmond | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2008 | Multnomah County Health Department | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2008 | Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2007 | Patricia Kullberg, Multnomah County Health Department | Exemplary Research Award |
| 2007 | David Labby, CareOregon | Outstanding Collaboration Award |
| 2007 | Angelica Ruppe, La Clinica Del Valle | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2007 | Kim Tierney, Multnomah County Health Department | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2006 | Dave Ford, CareOregon | Exemplary Leadership Award |
| 2006 | Brenda Johnson, La Clinica Del Valle | Exemplary Leadership Award |
| 2006 | Multnomah County Health Department’s EMR Team | Outstanding Caregiver Award |
| 2006 | Ken Provencher | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2004/2005 | Wayne Centrone, M.D. From Outside In | Outstanding Caregiver Award |
| 2004/2005 | Bruce Goldberg, M.D. | Exemplary Leadership Award |
| 2004/2005 | Bill Hancock | Outstanding Advocate Award |
| 2004/2005 | Linda Mullins, From Umpqua CHC | Exemplary Leadership Award |
| 2003 | CareOregon | Supporting FQHCs Award |
| 2003 | Senator Smith | Supporting FQHCs Award |
| 2003 | Senator Wyden | Supporting FQHCs Award |
| 2003 | Rep. Bates | Supporting Safety Net Clinics Award |
| 2003 | Rep. Greenlick | Supporting FQHCs Award |
| 2003 | Senator Westlund | Providing Healthcare for Uninsured Award |
| 2002 | Theresa Beasley, FNP | Outstanding Collaborative Effort Award |
| 2002 | Patty Rinehart | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 2002 | Jeanne Bowden, PHD, RN | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 2002 | Nancy Findholt, RN, MN | Outstanding Collaborative Effort Award |
| 2002 | Brian O. Harris | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 2002 | Sharry Fassett, CRNA | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 2002 | Nancy Malone, FNP | Outstanding Clinical Leadership Award |
| 2001 | Michael McCracken | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 2001 | Judy Lynch And John Widenoja Lake Co. | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 2001 | Connie Davis, PNP – Tillamook | Outstanding Rural Clinician Award |
| 2001 | Tom Fronk – Multnomah Co Health Dept. | Outstanding Collaborative Effort Award |
| 2001 | Tom Wendel, Md – Burns | Outstanding Physician Award |
| 2001 | Cheri Walker-Tillamook Co. | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 2001 | Gordon Empey, Dmd, Mph | Outstanding Dental Leadership Award |
| 2000 | Susie Godsey – Tillamook | Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award |
| 1999 | Carl Stiff, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1999 | Fran Yuhus, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1999 | Elizabeth Quillan, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1999 | Claude Bergeron | Special Recognition Award |
| 1999 | Tina Castanares, M.D. | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1999 | Karen Whitaker | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1999 | Lisa Cahill, R.N. | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1999 | Deborah Kiser, R.N. | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1998 | Alex Pulaski | Special Recognition Award |
| 1998 | Tim Simmons | Outstanding Leadership and Service Award |
| 1998 | Bruce Carlson, Md | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1997 | Joseph Emmerich, Md, Oregon City | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1997 | Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center Dental Clinic | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1997 | Larry Kiser, Wheeler – Rinehart Clinic | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1997 | Opening Doors Program – Healthy Start, Inc. | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1997 | Tim Simmons, CEO & Hood River Memorial Hospital Staff | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1997 | Kathie Graves, Rn, Tillamook | Special Recognition Award |
| 1997 | Robert Davis, Pa-C, Vale – VFHC | Outstanding Rural Clinician Award |
| 1997 | Rusty Woods, Md, Enterprise | Special Recognition Award |
| 1997 | Karen V. Potampa, FNP, Madras | Outstanding Rural Clinician Award |
| 1997 | Kelly Clayton – Klamath Co. | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1996 | Paul Betlinski, M.D. – Tillamook Co. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1996 | Nancy Elder, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1996 | Nina Laura, FNP | Outstanding Rural Clinician Award |
| 1996 | Janine Carr, Rn | Special Recognition Award |
| 1996 | Polly Wiliams – La Clinica Del Valle | Special Recognition Award |
| 1995 | Louis Rios, M.D. – Dallas/Salud | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1995 | Chuck Hofmann, M.D.- Baker City | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1995 | Robert Kaye, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1995 | Harry Rinehart, M.D.- Wheeler | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1995 | Royalynn Case R.D. – Valley Family H.C. | Special Recognition Award |
| 1995 | Colin Wood, La Clinic Del Carino | Special Recognition Award |
| 1995 | Jose Alberto Nunez – Salud | Special Recognition Award |
| 1995 | Karen Hill – NW Human Services | Special Recognition Award |
| 1994 | Robert Holland, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1994 | Physician Search Committee, Upper Rouge Community Center | Special Recognition Award |
| 1994 | John Sigurdson, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1994 | Martha Dauenhauer | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1994 | Linda Ferguson, Rn, Msn, FNP | Outstanding Rural Clinician Award |
| 1994 | Margaret Harris, Rn, St. Vincent Health Resource Center | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1993 | J. S. Reinschmidt, M.D. | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1993 | Margaret Spry | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1993 | James Ferguson, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1993 | Glen Sayler, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1993 | Nancie Bogardus | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1993 | Neal Rendleman, M.D. – Old Town Clinic | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1993 | Ian Timm, Jim Walker, Mary Lou Hennrich | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1993 | Rebecca Landau | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1993 | Salud Medical Clinic | Special Recognition Award |
| 1993 | Tillamook Co. Health Consortium | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1993 | Lewis Campbell Robertson, M.D. | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1992 | Robert Gobbo, M.D. La Clinica Del Carino | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1992 | Paul Bascom, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1992 | Richard Wopat, M.D. – Lebanon | Special Recognition Award |
| 1992 | Jim Reuler, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1992 | Coalition Of Community Health Clinics | Special Recognition Award |
| 1992 | Kristen Conwell, Rn | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1992 | Mary Fey, Np – Dexter RHC | Outstanding Rural Provider Award |
| 1992 | Stanley Bennett, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1991 | Linda Johnson | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1991 | Mitch Boriskin, FNP – Oakridge RHC | Outstanding Rural Provider Award |
| 1991 | Stan Ferguson, Pa | Outstanding Rural Provider Award |
| 1991 | West Salem Clinic | Outstanding Urban Clinic Award |
| 1991 | Clackamas County Public Health Division | Special Recognition Award |
| 1991 | Volunteer Physicians for Neighborhood Health Clinics | Outstanding Volunteer Service Award |
| 1990 | Old Town Clinic | Outstanding Urban Clinic Award |
| 1990 | Jeff Jeffreys, M.D. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1990 | Malheur Co. Health Dept., Valley Family Health Care, | Outstanding Cooperative Effort Award |
| 1990 | Holy Rosary Hospital and Medical Staff: | Provide Prenatal & Delivery Care Award |
| 1990 | Polly Williams – La Clinica Del Valle | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1990 | Jeffery Sewing, Pa-C | Outstanding Rural Provider Award |
| 1990 | Lowell Euhus, M.D. – Enterprise | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1990 | Linda Desitter, M.D.- Hood River | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1990 | Promatoras De Salud | Special Recognition for Health Promotion Award |
| 1990 | Rev. Richard Summer | Outstanding Volunteer Award |
| 1990 | June Giebner, RN and Kathy Mustard, Rn | Outstanding Volunteer Award |
| 1990 | Dave Porter – Salem – West Salem Clinic | Special Recognition Award |
| 1990 | White Bird Clinic | Special Recognition Award |
| 1990 | David Johnson, M.D. | Special Recognition Award |
| 1989 | Harold Osterud, M.D. | Special Recognition Award |
| 1989 | Richard P. Sargent, M.D. – Chiloquin | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1989 | Outside-In Clinic | Outstanding Urban Clinic Award |
| 1989 | Judge Dale White – Harney County | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1989 | Phil Keisling | Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award |
| 1989 | Colin Wood – La Clinica Del Carino | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1988 | Jack Fatland | Outstanding Volunteer Award |
| 1988 | Gene Timms | Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award |
| 1988 | Lois Hunt And Marjorie Killingsworth | Outstanding Leadership Award |
| 1988 | Greg Mecklen, M.D. – VGMHC | Outstanding Rural Physician Award |
| 1988 | Alan Melnick, M.D. – Washington Co. | Outstanding Urban Physician Award |
| 1988 | Lou Desitter And Thom Nelson – Hood River | Outstanding Cooperative Program Award |
