Our Leadership

Eric Van Houten

Eric Van Houten believes in servant leadership and views his position as an honor. He promotes a work environment where lifelong learning is a must and an emphasis on continuous quality improvement is more than just a regulatory requirement. Eric joined Cascade Health in 2014 as chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in 2018. He has presented nationally on subjects including youth homelessness, intervention strategies and behavioral health treatment and policy. He serves on the board of directors for ShelterCare, the Clinical Advisory Panel for Trillium Community Health Plans and the executive committee for 100% Health at United Way of Lane County. He also spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. Eric graduated from Beloit College with a degree in psychology and obtained his Master of Social Work from Portland State University. A native of Eugene, Eric enjoys being solidly mediocre at many of the region’s available activities, including golfing, skiing, hiking, swimming, eating and traveling. He is positively inept at any home improvement project and while he is quite accomplished at cleaning, he finds little joy in cooking. Eric is blessed with an amazing wife, Wendy Hunter, and two daughters, Madeline and Juliette, who inspire him to be the best human being possible.

Linda Fleck

Linda Fleck manages Cascade Health’s budget and financial health. Linda has worked in the field of health care for more than two decades including leadership positions at Oregon Imaging Centers, PeaceHealth and Tuality Health Care. She became a licensed certified public accountant in 2012 and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Phoenix. Linda and her husband live in Eugene and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, as well as outdoor activities and Oregon Ducks football.

Travis Brooke

Travis Brooke leads Cascade Health’s occupational health division including occupational medicine, physical therapy, employee testing, mobile health, wellness and onsite clinics. Travis specializes in identifying employers’ immediate needs and developing wellness programs and cost-saving solutions that have a direct benefit to worker health while decreasing compensation costs. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s in Sociology, Travis is a native of Eugene. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, skiing, volunteering and supporting the Oregon Ducks.

Rebecca Gonzalez

Rebecca Gonzalez leads the five major personal health departments at Cascade Health: behavioral health, diabetes and nutrition education, home health, hospice and the Pete Moore Hospice House. Rebecca has worked in health care for more than 20 years and joined the Cascade Health team in 2018. She has a health care administration degree from Oregon State University and an advanced Lean certificate from Virginia Mason. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two busy daughters horseback riding, being outdoors and experiencing the pleasures of country life.

Sarah-Kate Sharkey

Sarah-Kate Sharkey joined the Cascade Health team in 2021, bringing to the position 16 years of donor engagement, event planning and fundraising experience. She leads the organization’s foundation in raising funds to support Cascade Health’s end-of-life care services and other unmet health needs. She loves helping to change lives by serving as a connector between community needs and people who want to help others through philanthropy. Sarah-Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a master’s degree and not-for-profit management certificate from the University of Oregon Public Policy & Management program. In her free time, Sarah-Kate enjoys creating art and playing games with her daughter, running, yoga, roaming the great outdoors and songwriting with her piano.

Kirsten Gram

As a dietitian and certified diabetes educator, Kirsten Gram leads the diabetes and nutrition education department and provides client care at Cascade Health and at numerous primary care practices throughout Lane County. Kirsten has been with Cascade Health and its predecessor organization for 34 years and became a trained diabetes educator in 1990. She completed a dietetic internship at the University of Indiana School of Medicine and obtained her Bachelor’s in Dietetics from Oregon State University. Kirsten spends her free time hiking, biking and trekking, as well as cooking, gardening and being with her family.

Jodi DePaoli

Jodi DePaoli leads a team of counselors in behavioral health help their clients successfully navigate life’s challenges in order to live their best life and achieve overall wellness. Jodi also manages Cascade Health’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which has been partnering with local businesses for more than 35 years to develop and nurture productive workplaces. Jodi came to Cascade Health in 2015 and was promoted to department manager in 2019. In addition to her counseling practice, she is a sought-after presenter and author on best practices in both mental health counseling and workplace management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bushnell University. Outside of work, Jodi enjoys hiking, yoga, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Travis Hoffman

Travis Hoffman focuses on the rehabilitation of injured workers. He joined Cascade Health in March of 1999 after a career that included working as an occupational therapist in hospitals, outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities throughout the Midwest and East Coast. He is an expert at developing and managing protocols that work in collaboration with patient input and needs. A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Travis enjoys time with his family, camping, hunting, fishing, golfing and riding four wheelers at the dunes and on mountain trails.

Laura Helfrich

While spending the first 11 years of her career in clinic and hospital settings, Laura learned that people heal better in their homes. Having therapists and nurses come into one’s home environment provides education on chronic disease management and home exercise, allowing patients to obtain a higher level of safe independence. Laura has been a leading nurse educator in home health and has continuously innovated in-home services for patients. Professionally, she is passionate about serving the community and helping people be healthier. In her personal life, enjoys gardening, sewing and spending time with her grandkids.

Monica Gibbs

Monica Gibbs has more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including 25 years as a registered nurse. In 2016, Monica left the acute care hospital setting and joined Cascade Health as a home hospice case manager. She became the manager of Pete Moore Hospice House in 2019. Monica seeks to exceed patient and family expectations by providing the most supportive and compassionate care possible to help people at navigate the end-of-life journey. In her free time, Monica enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, being outdoors with her dog and exploring new eating venues.

Ryan Freeman

Ryan Freeman leads the Mobile Health team of EMTs and paramedics who respond to minor workplace injuries and drug testing needs 24 hours a day. Ryan has more than 20 years of pre-hospital emergency medical experience. He holds a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Oregon and a paramedic degree from Lane Community College. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys volunteering with the fire department, ice-hockey, softball and spending time with his family and their dogs.

Jason Briggs

Jason Briggs has 15 years of enterprise IT experience, including 13 years in health care IT. He has held many technical positions, including helpdesk analyst, network engineer and numerous leadership roles. Jason completed his degree in computers and networking technology at Pioneer Pacific College. In his free time he enjoys woodworking, gaming, golfing and traveling.

Kathryn McNeal

Kathryn McNeal manages the implementation and maintenance of Cascade Health’s electronic medical record (EMR) software. She also assists with other organizational projects, including serving as volunteer coordinator for the Festival of Trees fundraising event. Kathryn first joined Cascade Health in 2007. She is a native Oregonian and a graduate of George Fox with a Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management. Kathryn enjoys spending time hiking and traveling with her husband and dogs.

Stacey Crenshaw

Stacey Crenshaw manages the occupational health department at Cascade Health, which provides injury treatment, pre-placement and annual training for thousands of people working for local employers. Stacey has worked in health care for more than 10 years and has previous experience in human resources. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Stacey is a native of the Eugene area. In her spare time she enjoys spending time her family, exploring Oregon, hunting and fishing.

Ryan Freeman