What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations

Oregon Primary Care Association

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  1. Sep 23

    Medication for Addiction Treatment: The Approach and A Patient's Story

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Allison Ulrich, a licensed clinical social worker at Clackamas County Health Centers, about medication for addiction treatment (MAT). This is an integrated approach that combines medications with counseling and behavioral health supports. Patient Anne joins the conversation to describe how wraparound support and the MAT program helped her recovery and inspired her to become an addictions counselor.   To protect the privacy of the patient whose story is shared in this episode, we used a pseudonym. We also changed some identifying details to protect the patient’s confidentiality.   About the Guest(s) Allison Ulrich, LCSW, EOLD, MAT Behavioral Health Consultant at Clackamas County Health Centers.   Resources & Links Clackamas County Health Centers OPCA's Poly-Substance Use Disorder Workgroup Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  2. Sep 10

    Contingency Management: Positive Reinforcement to Support Substance Use Recovery

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke explores contingency management as an evidence-based treatment option for substance use disorder. Certified alcohol and drug counselor Jesse Flack and Tracy Winn,  Sr. Medical Director of Addiction Services at Cascadia Health, explain contingency management and outline implementation choices, staffing, costs, and quality improvement. Brandon Clark with the Oregon Primary Care Association shares a personal account of a contingency management program that helped him sustain sobriety and build new goals.   About the Guests Jesse Flack, CADC-II, QMHA-R, Certified alcohol and drug counselor.   Tracy Winn, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, Sr. Medical Director of Substance Use & Addiction Services at Cascadia Health.   Brandon Clark, HIV/STI Logistics Coordinator at the Oregon Primary Care Association.   Resources & Links Reduction in Mortality: Contingency management for stimulant use disorder and association with mortality Long-term efficacy of Contingency Management treatment based on objective indicators of abstinence from illicit substance use up to 1 year following treatment Recovery Incentives Program: California's Contingency Management Benefit OPCA's Poly-Substance Use Disorder Workgroup Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  3. Aug 3 ·  Bonus

    If Your Health Center Disappeared, Where Would You Go?

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke reflects on National Health Center Week and asks: if community health centers disappeared, how would our communities access health care? Dani speaks with Health Center Advocates from Neighborhood Health Center regarding why their community needs their health center. Marty Carty, OPCA's Governmental Affairs Director, also chimes in to explain the stagnation of federal base grants and the growing pressures that threaten access, underscoring the need for support from decision-makers and lawmakers.   About the Guests Brittany Marks, Neighborhood Health Center Board Co-Chair, joined the Board of Directors in 2013.   Penny Moore, Director of Advancement at Neighborhood Health Center (NHC), develops and executes the organization’s fundraising plan, strategic communication and marketing strategies, advocacy efforts, and interorganizational communications.  Penny acts as the board liaison, responsible for NHC Board of Directors relations through recruitment, development, and training.   Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.   Resources & Links Neighborhood Health Center, www.nhcoregon.org National Health Center Week Event, Health Fair Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org Episode Recommendation: Why Should I Build A Culture of Advocacy? Interested in becoming a CHC advocate? Contact dgehrke@orpca.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to and share What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  4. Jul 20

    Where do I find Emergency Preparedness resources? A Conversation with Sonya Howk

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Sonya Howk, Sustainability Manager at the Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA). They discuss how OPCA is enhancing support for community health centers to ensure they comply with federal emergency response regulations through a new initiative called the Emergency Preparedness Synergy Group.   About the Guest Sonya Howk, OPCA Sustainability Manager, provides Oregon's community health centers with information for Operational Site visits and resources for developing reports for federal agencies. Sonya has a Master of Public Health Administration and more than 25 years of experience in community-based health. Sonya will facilitate the new Emergency Preparedness Synergy Group.   Resources & Links Contact Sonya Howk, OPCA Sustainability Manager, showk@orpca.org Join OPCA's Emergency Preparedness Synergy Group [Call to action or related resource] Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  5. Jul 6

    Emergency Preparedness: Readiness and Tabletop Simulations

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Ed Colson, President of Ready Northwest, to highlight the significance of emergency preparedness and how to strengthen plans through tabletop simulations. To demonstrate the benefits of tabletop exercises, Alex Jones of Cascadia Health and Michelle Guerrero of One Community Health join the discussion for a wildfire-focused simulation scenario.   About the Guests Ed Colson, President of Ready Northwest, with a background as a commercial helicopter pilot, a degree in emergency management, over 10 years experience in the field of health care and business emergency management, he is well versed in developing an emergency management and business continuity program for your organizations.  Alex Jones, Director of Security at Cascadia Health, is responsible for overseeing Cascadia Health’s physical security, public safety and emergency preparedness programs at all Cascadia sites and programs. Michele Shrum-Guerrero, Communications Manager at One Community Health (OCH), manages OCH’s marketing and communications team and strategic projects. In this capacity, she oversees patient group wellness projects at OCH.   Resources & Links Ready Northwest, www.readynorthwest.com One Community Health Blog, Wildfire Safety & Resources Join OPCA's Emergency Preparedness Synergy Group Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  6. Jun 23

    Building Workforce Pipelines: A Reflection with Michelle Bowers

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke sits down with Michelle Bowers, OPCA's Workforce Development Manager, to reflect on the conversation with Norma Santiago Hernandez about Multnomah County Community Health Center’s Dental Careers Pathways program. Michelle shares her approach to supporting Oregon health centers through community partnerships, grow-your-own pathways, and tools like case studies that document program processes, workflows, and budget forecasting.   About the Guest Michelle Bowers develops training programs that strengthen the community health center workforce. Michelle has more than a decade of experience in this field, and in 2024, completed a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management & Organizational Leadership through Multnomah University.   Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA), www.orpca.org OPCA Workforce Development, www.orpca.org/workforce-development/ Join OPCA's Human Resources Synergy Group by contacting Michelle Bowers, mbowers@orpca.org Additional resources are available in the Workforce Repository for OPCA members through the Member Portal Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  7. Jun 9

    Dental Career Pathways Program at Multnomah County Community Health Center

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education and Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Norma Santiago Hernandez, Dental Workforce Development Supervisor at Multnomah County Community Health Center, about how the health center is addressing dental workforce shortages through a community-centered Dental Career Pathways program. Norma shares her path into dentistry and provides insight into the program's structure, mentorship model, and lessons learned.   About the Guest Norma Santiago Hernandez is a compassionate and empathetic Registered Dental Hygienist with a deep commitment to improving her patients' lives. Beyond her clinical expertise, Norma mentors the next generation of dental professionals as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific University and serves as the Dental Workforce Development Supervisor at Multnomah County Community Health Center. Norma's work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the American Association of Public Health Dentistry's Community Dentistry, Dental Public Health Award, and OPCA's 2026 Compassion in Care Award.   Resources & Links Multnomah County Community Health Center, www.healthcenter.multco.us Multnomah County Community Health Center, Learning & Training Opportunities Dental Assisting National Board, www.danb.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

  8. Jun 2 ·  Bonus

    The History of the Health Center Movement and the Storm Ahead for Oregon

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke and Marty Carty, OPCA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, trace the Health Center Program back to 1965, when Doctors Jack Geiger and Count Gibson launched the first neighborhood health centers, grounded in community governance, comprehensive care, and a commitment to never turn patients away. The conversation highlights how health centers became a cornerstone of community health, what today’s political environment means for their mission, and the importance of advocacy to sustain care for underserved communities.   About the Guest Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.    Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, www.geigergibson.publichealth.gwu.edu Interested in becoming a CHC advocate? Contact dgehrke@orpca.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

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