Megan Haase often talks about knowing that she wanted to find meaningful work that involved helping others. Early in her career, she was drawn to improving how the system works, with a focus on aligning the varied components of the system to deliver health to communities, versus the common approach that exists with such a significant focus on ‘sick’ care.

While Megan was in her nurse practitioner program at Oregon Health & Science University, she had the opportunity to do clinical rotations in several community health centers. She loved the comprehensive and inclusive care approach observed in nonprofit community health centers.

As CEO, Megan has helped Mosaic grow from 600+ patients in the first year to serving more than 27,000 in 2024, all the while focusing on improving the region’s healthcare system. She has aligned other healthcare providers to change regional healthcare supports as part of the program and created partnerships in numerous ways to expand Mosaic services and access, from embedding clinics in county facilities to co-locating with affordable housing complexes.

Megan Haase trained as a nurse practitioner and primary care provider and not as an executive leader. Her vision of both ensuring access and services for those in need across Central Oregon and changing the regional healthcare system meant that she took it on herself to learn evidence-based leadership practices to help create healthy teams and work environments. The importance of relationships remains among Megan’s guiding principles and strengths in leading Mosaic. She has instilled a mission-driven, person-centered culture that has allowed Mosaic to grow and thrive to meet her vision.

Megan has always partnered with other organizations and changemakers, resulting in most Mosaic’s clinics being embedded or co-located with partner agencies. She also served on the board of directors for St. Charles Health System for ten years, and was a founding member of the Central Oregon Health Council (which became one of the first models for the CCO governing body for the state).

A lasting impact of Megan’s work is the fact that one in nine people in Central Oregon are a Mosaic patient and there are 16 Mosaic locations and numerous partnerships that will continue to advance the health of the region long after Megan has retired (which we hope is not for decades and decades). Another lasting impact of Megan’s leadership can be seen in the leaders that she has mentored and supported over the years. Whether they have stayed at Mosaic, gone on to other organizations, or even left and then returned, Megan has inspired and infused her unique leadership style and approach on several generations of new leaders.

Submission written by Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, Chief Strategy Officer, Mosaic Community Health