Who We Are
At the Washington Association for Community Health, we bring community health centers together to collaborate and expand access to high-quality health care statewide. We help community health centers navigate state and federal policy, provide evidence-based health care, and problem solve as a group. Our services include workforce development programs, technical assistance and training, and policy advocacy.
Our members deliver health care to more than 1.2 million Washingtonians each year at more than 400 clinic sites. Community health centers are directed by local consumers and respond to the needs of the community, serving all without regard to economic or insurance status. They are vital providers in the state’s health care safety net, serving as the primary care provider to 37% of Medicaid/CHIP enrollees in 2023.The Association strengthens our member health centers' work with the information, partnerships and tools that make high-quality care a reality for people across the state.
Our Mission
To strengthen and advocate for Washington’s Community Health Centers as they build healthcare access, innovation and value.
Meet The Team
Dave brings a strong background in healthcare policy, advocacy, and health care association management and believes strongly in the mission of community health centers. He comes from Austin, Texas where he was the American Hospital Association Regional Executive and AHA’s representative to the member hospitals and state hospital associations in AR, LA, OK & TX. He also led the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals and was Director of Operations for the Center for Rural Health Initiatives, giving him a deep understanding of rural health needs.
Courtney is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and works closely with the Association’s Board of Directors to develop the organization’s strategic priorities and key organizational initiatives.
Kristina organizes the Association’s essential member-facing programs and internal processes; increasing the efficacy and efficiency of current business functions, planning changes, and collaborating with other executive staff to set and meet the Board’s strategic objectives.
Coming soon!
Cat is our skilled Board Relations Specialist, providing administrative and logistical support to the CEO and Board of Directors. She ensures board efficiency by managing meetings, maintaining critical records, coordinating events, and supporting governance compliance. With expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and executive assistance, Cat excels in high-paced environments while maintaining confidentiality.
Hannah supports Washington's health centers' capacity to deliver high quality care with a view towards improving access and patient experience. Using project management and process improvement approaches, Hannah oversees development and management of clinical and operational training and technical assistance (T/TA) and facilitates dialogue and interdisciplinary learning in support of identified member needs and Association strategic goals.
Alyssa is responsible for the expansion and sustainability of the In-REACH apprenticeship and training programs. She works with her team to ensure In-REACH produces high-quality students and reduces the workforce shortage in primary healthcare.
Alyssa supports the Government Affairs team by developing strategic communication and coordinating advocacy to advance the policy goals and priorities of CHCs. She also supports strategic communication planning and implementation across the Association.
Pat works in symphony with the three statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the University of Washington program office to expand the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities in Washington’s southwestern region. In the SWAHEC’s implementation years, Pat will stand-up an AHEC scholars’ program, create continuing education (CE) opportunities for current health care students, partner with community organizations to bring pipeline events to high-school students, and recruit preceptors for the Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP).
Brian Rauscher
Career Pathways
Manager
Brian supports the operations of the InREACH apprenticeship and training programs. He supervises a team of dedicated InREACH staff, and is responsible for quality assurance, compliance, program evaluation, stakeholder communication, and procedure development.
Alex is primarily responsible for fostering a positive and welcoming workplace by promoting fairness, belonging, and a supportive organizational culture. He provides managers the tools to confidently lead teams to success. Alex is responsible for creating and implementing best practice policies and procedures across recruitment, development, compensation, benefits, and any other internal process.
Andrea is responsible for the management of association information technology matters. She works to document and administrate existing technology as well as implement new to facilitate smooth operations throughout the organization.
Data Manager
Amanda strengthens the capabilities of CHCs by promoting workforce development through The Association's apprenticeship program. Through database management, progress monitoring, and advising, Amanda supports a network of apprentices across the state from enrollment to graduation and beyond.
Jessica promotes access to high-quality health care for underserved populations by providing strategic guidance to senior leadership. With a critical focus on the Policy & Communications team, the Strategic Advisor will cultivate and support relationships with community health center leadership, growth of professional skills, and fluency within the CHC system. Additionally, the Strategic Advisor is responsible for leading and managing the Association Oral Health learning network.
Alexa is a lobbyist and government relations consultant who specializes in health and long term care. Current and former clients include the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Northwest Health Law Advocates, the Washington Academy of Family Physicians, the Department of Health, and others. Previously she served as Senior Counsel in the Washington House of Representatives, where she staffed the Health Care & Wellness Commitee.
Amanda Saxton
Senior Policy Analyst
Amanda conducts policy research and analysis to support the Association's advocacy efforts, focusing on areas such as behavioral health, workforce, and enabling services. They track legislation and regulatory processes and collaborate with partners to promote and advance CHC priorities.
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Patrick is the communications specialist and media relations liaison for the Association's policy team. He works to distill complex policy into simplified and actionable ideas to assist our members in state and federal advocacy. He also manages our advocacy events such as our state and federal Hill Days and relationships with our elected officials.
As the Staff Accountant, Stephanie works in all areas of financial operations at the Association, including assisting with month-end and year-end close and preparing monthly and quarterly reconciliations and reports. She works cross-functionally with other departments for budgeting and accounting matters as needed
Edwin supports the Association's policy and advocacy efforts, particularly around primary care transformation, finance and reimbursement, and pharmacy operations. He provides policy insights for CHCs and promotes community health priorities in regulatory and legislative affairs.
Coming soon!
Patricia supports the health centers to increase access to comprehensive primary care services among the underserved. Through training, technical assistance and safety net communication, she works to link upstream investment, enabling services and community engaged strategies to advance access and primary care.
Brianne supports community health centers to expand comprehensive primary care services, including maternal health and voluntary family planning services, and to promote access to non-coercive, patient-centered care across all communities.
Cathy is the key contact for clinical leadership and staff, focused on supporting comprehensive and integrated clinical services at our member health centers.
Coming soon!
Hedianna received her BSN from University of Hawaii Hilo. Upon her move to the PNW, she’s been using her medical education background to serve in a public health educator role with Southwest Washington tribes for nearly 2 decades. She has also been learning the chronic disease landscape for the underrepresented communities within Pierce, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Thurston and Mason counties. Related areas of passion are children and houseless families and their access to healthy living.
Kate works collaboratively across the organization to develop and implement communications and engagement strategies that align with the Association’s strategic plan. This includes managing communications and marketing efforts to promote events/services and enhancing the public perception of Federally Qualified Health Centers through the creation and deployment of high-quality content.
Yulissa strengthens health access in rural health center populations by providing tailored patient support, conducting outreach, and tracking navigation program outcomes. She assists patients in understanding the purpose of CRC testing, helps to address their barriers, ensures patients are informed of options, and helps them schedule and prepare for colonoscopy appointments. Yulissa's work is part of a partnership with the UW Dept. of Family Medicine, in support of a National Cancer Institute grant to study patient navigation as a method of increasing rates of colonoscopy completion among rural patients with positive fecal immunochemical tests (FIT)
Jordan works with SWAHEC, primarily as the coordinator for the AHEC Scholars program. AHEC Scholars is a 2-year certification program, training healthcare students in the unique needs of patients in rural or urban underserved communities. Scholars engage in 2 years of didactic training on topics such as patient centered skills and emerging healthcare issues, as well as 80 hours of clinical and community experiences. Jordan also assists SWAHEC with its other projects as he has capacity.
Priyanka comes with a strong background in managing and organizing information. She plays an active role in ensuring data integrity and contributing to the organization's goal of strengthening healthcare access, innovation, and value for all.
Sami holds a master’s degree in social work and has significant experience working directly with patients, which informs their current, non-clinical role with the Association. As the Partnership Coordinator at InReach, they are instrumental in expanding workforce training programs to non-Washington-based associations, particularly primary care associations. Sami's role involves coordinating trainings, leading community education efforts, and driving partner development initiatives, all aimed at addressing the workforce shortage in healthcare.
Yasmine is responsible for coordinating the In-REACH Training Programs by scheduling new cohorts and helping to onboard new employer partners in Western Washington. She assists management in the research, development, and implementation of new apprenticeship programs.
Maria is responsible for coordinating the In-REACH Training Programs by scheduling new cohorts and helping to onboard new employer partners in Eastern Washington. She assists management in the research, development, and implementation of new apprenticeship programs. Maria has 15 years of experience serving the community working closely with both providers and patients.
Reece comes to us with a background in marketing within the field of education and has also worked to help a few local businesses in their marketing efforts. He earned his B.A. in Business Marketing at the University of Washington and strives to be able to communicate stories that are untold. As the Marketing Specialist for InReach Career Pathways, he is responsible for the marketing efforts and the promotion of the program.
Connor serves as the main point of contact for apprentices as they navigate through their program. He provides technical, academic, and social support towards all aspects of the program to ensure that apprentices can succeed and graduate.