Staff
James A. Carlson |
Jim Carlson has almost twenty years experience in health policy and association management. He is a 1982 graduate of the University of Oregon. Following college he worked as a legislative assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives before joining the Oregon Medical Association in 1987 as associate director of government affairs. Carlson joined OHCA in 1994, first as director of government affairs, before assuming his current position as President in 1997.Carlson is widely recognized as one of the leading long term care policy resources in Oregon by state and federal elected officials, members of the media and consumer advocates. Mr. Carlson currently serves on the board of directors of the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and is Chairman of the American Society of Health Care Association Executives (ASHCAE). |
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Linda Kirschbaum |
Linda Kirschbaum has been involved in the long term care profession for over 25 years. Prior to coming to OHCA in 1998 she was a director of operations for a multi-service long term care campus featuring skilled care, residential care, assisted living and independent senior housing. In addition to her nursing home license Kirschbaum has an assisted living administrator certificate. As the Director of Assisted Living, Residential Care & Quality, her work includes public policy, education development & training, providing technical assistance to members, and directing quality initiatives and programs for the Association. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration and a Certificate in Gerontology from Oregon State University. |
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Lauren Rhoades, J.D. |
In addition to monitoring legal and regulatory developments related to long term care, Lauren works to implement OHCA’s legislative strategy as a lobbyist before the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Lauren represents OHCA on a variety of task forces and work groups and communicates regularly with OHCA members about local, state and national matters. Prior to joining OHCA in 2004, Lauren served on the staff of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden in Washington, D.C. and in the Government and Community Affairs Department of Continuum Health Partners, a system of teaching hospitals in New York City. Lauren received her undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and her law degree from Willamette University College of Law. She has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 2004. |
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Dale Penn II, PHR |
Dale, a native Oregonian, joined OHCA in September of 2010 and is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia with a degree in Economics. Dale has worked in Oregon’s Long-Term Care industry since 2005 as a regulatory affairs and compliance specialist for Sunwest Management and Avamere Health Services. He had the pleasure of working for the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 2005 Oregon Legislative session and looks forward to representing the interests of OHCA members at the Capitol. Dale works closely with OHCA members and partner organizations to promote the interests of Oregon’s long term care providers through grassroots campaigns and issue advocacy. |
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Joe Greenman, J.D. |
Prior to joining OHCA in February 2007, Joe worked for the legal department of Regence BlueCross BlueShield. Before attending law school, he worked for the United States House of Representatives for five years. During his final two years in Congress, he was Professional Majority Staff for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In that capacity, he planned and implemented Congressional oversight of the Medicare program. Joe received his undergraduate degree from Lewis & Clark College and his law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law. |
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Melodie King, CMP |
Melodie King joined the OHCA team in 2002 as the representative of the Oregon Assisted Living Facilities Association (OALFA). A graduate from Oregon State University, Melodie has a degree in speech communications and received her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation in 2008. Melodie became the Director of Education of OHCA in 2005, developing and coordinating the educational workshops, special events, Annual Convention & Trade Show, Spring Expo and other conferences/meetings provided by the Association. |
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Pamela Ruona |
Pamela Ruona, MHR joined OHCA in June of 2007. Her focus as the Policy & Programs Director is in the following areas: workforce, in-home care, retirement housing including CCRCs, and Alzheimer Care Units. Previous to coming to OHCA, Pamela Ruona has 15 years of experience in long-term care public policy in Oregon. She has worked in areas as diverse as long-term care financing and housing, to chronic disease prevention and management. In 2002 she staffed the Governor’s Task Force on the Future of Services to Seniors and People with Disabilities. Ruona further served as the legislative coordinator for the Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilities during the 2003 Legislative Session. She has served as a board member for the Oregon Gerontological Association. Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Human Relations degree from the University of Oklahoma. |
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Vanessa Ceryance |
Vanessa Ceryance joined the OHCA team in September of 2010 as the Director of Member Services and Business Development. She has over 10 years professional experience working with senior care facilities helping them to achieve financial viability and negotiating strategic partnerships with industry suppliers. Vanessa will be working with our facility members and business partner members to maximize their membership benefits, marketing communications and facilitate strong strategic partner relationships. |
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Carol Grebin |
Carol Grebin joined OHCA in 1999 after several years of working for Portland area associations. She first worked for the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland, then with the Oregon Medical Association, where she worked as assistant to the director of government affairs. Carol has a long history of volunteerism, including hospice, hospital E.R. and ICU and is currently a volunteer member of the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) for Clackamas County. Carol manages the front office systems and is OHCA’s executive board liaison. |
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Ruth Bernard |
Ruth joined OHCA in August 2002. She relocated to Oregon from Illinois, where she owned and operated a public accounting firm. Ruth has a MBA in Accounting and manages the Accounting Department at OHCA. |
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Cynthia Maylath |
Cynthia joined the accounting department in September of 2008 and is responsible for processing all education registrations and working with tracking for our group purchasing program. Cynthia manages the financial portion of OHCA event registration, sponsorships and registering new members. Other responsibilities include accounts payable and accounts receivable. |
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Janienne Alexander, CPS |
Janienne joined OHCA in July of 2008. She is often the first point of contact for OHCA members who call or visit OHCA, and enjoys her role of providing quality member services. Janienne also enjoys the many aspects of support she provides OHCA staff, including production of educational and event materials, marketing workshops and events, and management of OHCA’s website. Janienne is a Certified Professional Secretary and is very involved in the International Association of Administrative Professionals, Oregon Trail Chapter (IAAP-OTC). She currently serves as their Membership Chair, and also serves on their Bylaws Committee. Janienne also proudly volunteers as the Communication Coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Tigard, Tualatin & Sherwood |