Community Advisory Council

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What We Do

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) recommends ways to improve health and health care to the Central Oregon Health Council (COHC). We have people from these groups on the CAC:

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members
Community members
Tribal members
County government workers

Our meetings are open to the public. Please email kelley.adams@cohealthcouncil.org to request the Zoom link.
We invite OHP members and guardians to apply to join the CAC.

Community Advisory Council Charter

Responsibilities

The CAC exists to provide consumers and community members with a role in assessing health care programs and services and a way to advocate for improving health in the region by:

Serving as a conduit for residents of each geographic area in the region to ask questions and raise concerns
Identifying opportunities to improve population health in Central Oregon
Advocating for preventive care practices
Providing advice to help COHC link the community’s medical and nonmedical services to overcome barriers to health
Providing a link back to community constituents to aid in achieving COHC’s vision and guiding principles

Click here to see a list of the CAC’s successes.

Members

Brad Porterfield, Chair

Consumer Representative, Executive Director, Latino Community Association
Elizabeth Schmitt, MS, Vice Chair

Consumer Representative
Stacy Shaw

Consumer Representative, Crook County Health Strategist
Miranda Hill

Health Promotion Program Coordinator, Klamath County
Conor Carlsen

Consumer Representative
Natalie Chavez

Jefferson County Health Department
Mandee Seeley

Consumer Representative
Theresa Olander

Consumer Representative
Mayra Benitez

Consumer Representative
Thomas Kuhn

Deschutes County Health Services
Ken Wilhelm

Executive Director, United Way of Deschutes County
Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, MPH

Director of Strategy and Development, Mosaic Medical
Linda Johnson, RN, MHA

Community Representative

Membership

Members of the CAC are recruited to represent the diversity of the Central Oregon community. Race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and geographic location may be included as criteria for selection. CAC members utilize a collaborative working style and provide expertise and insight in the areas of social services, public safety, and community resources. Individuals with a broad community perspective on health matters are preferred.

Contact the CAC Chair.