It Takes A Team

Eric Van Houten, L.C.S.W.

CEO*

Eric T. Van Houten, L.C.S.W., has worked in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors since 1996. Since 2002 he has managed mental health and substance abuse programs, multidiscipline social service entities and ambulatory primary care clinics. His background includes working with individuals with a myriad of issues including: chronic physical health conditions; drug and alcohol abuse and addiction; severe and persistent mental illness; poverty, and homelessness.

Eric has presented nationally on issues related to youth homelessness, multidisciplinary intervention strategies and implementation of behavioral health care into primary care. In 2012, he and other staff received the Oregon Primary Care Association Sustainability Award. He is a member of the Expert Oversight Panel for the Patient Centered Primary Care Institute. In 2014, he was invited to participate in an expert review group in support of the Safety Net Medical Home Initiative’s Behavioral Health Integration Implementation Guide project in collaboration with AIMS Center at the University of Washington, Qualis Health, and the MacColl Center for Health Care Innovation.

Eric was raised in Eugene and after nearly 10 years away for college and a tour of service in the Peace Corps, returned in 1994. He is married to Wendy Hunter, PA-C at Peace Health, and has two wonderful daughters. Eric enjoys being active with hiking, bicycling, playing basketball and golf, and trying to keep up with his daughters’ busy academic and sports schedules.

Linda Fleck, C.P.A.

CFO

Linda has worked in the field of health care since she was in her mid-20s and as an adult, earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Management and Masters of Business Administration in Accounting. She became a licensed CPA in 2012. Linda and her husband Darreld moved to the Eugene area in 2006, relocating from Hillsboro, Oregon. They have three grown children and three beautiful granddaughters. When not working, Linda enjoys being outdoors in the sunshine, traveling, watching Oregon Ducks football, and spending time with family.

Travis Brooke

Director of Occupational Health

Since joining Cascade Health in 2010, Travis Brooke has been committed to increasing awareness of work and community health programs designed to enhance workers’ quality of life and increase health and safety. He specializes in identifying employer’s immediate needs and coming up with wellness programs and cost-saving solutions that have a direct benefit to worker health while decreasing compensation costs. He enjoys getting to know each of Cascade Health’s client companies on a personal basis to understand the intricate details of each organization and the challenges they face.

Travis is a native of Eugene where he attended and graduated from the University of Oregon. In his spare time, Travis enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, skiing, volunteering and supporting the Oregon Ducks.

Laura Helfrich, R.N.

Manager of Home Health

While spending the first 11 years in clinic and hospital settings, Laura learned that people heal better in their homes. Having therapists and nurses come in to one’s home environment provides education on chronic disease management and home exercise which allows patients to obtain a higher level of safe independence. When Laura first had the opportunity to join a home health team and be a part of improving patient outcomes, she had faith in her ability to offer much to the home health industry. Since then, Laura has been a leading nurse educator in home health, and has continuously innovated in home services for patients. Serving the community towards better health is what brings gratification to Laura’s work life. She also enjoys gardening, sewing, and spending time with her grandkids.

Kirsten Gram, R.D., L.D., C.D.E.

Manager of Diabetes & Nutrition Education

Passionate about helping others make positive changes in their lives, Kirsten Gram provides education and support for people with diabetes, celiac disease, high cholesterol, and weight management issues.

Kirsten became a diabetes educator in 1990, and has worked in the diabetes field for 30 years. Today, she oversees Cascade Health’s diabetes and nutrition programs.

She views her role as an educator to, “till the ground and plant the seed but understand that the harvest comes when that person puts in the hard work, learns from their mistakes and paves the way to a healthier lifestyle.”

Kirsten spends her free time hiking, biking, and trekking, as well as cooking, gardening, and being with her family.

Jodi DePaoli, L.P.C.

Manager of Behavioral Health & Employee Assistance Program

Jodi began working for Cascade Behavioral Health in 2015 and became Manager of the department in April of 2019. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. Jodi specializes in the treatment of anxiety, communication, anger management, blended family issues and relationship conflicts using Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness Based Therapy in her work. She believes strongly that people are doing the best they can, and that by gaining more skills and knowledge through counseling and personal work, their best can look even better over time.

Outside of counseling, Jodi enjoys presenting trainings, conflict resolution, and helping employers address workplace problems in order to create a more positive working environment. Jodi enjoys spending time with her husband and four teenagers, walking her dog, practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Travis Hoffman, O.T.R.

Manager of Workers Action Program

An occupational therapist for 16 years, Travis Hoffman manages Cascade Health’s Workers Action Program, which focuses on the rehabilitation of injured workers.  He joined Cascade Health in 1999.

Previously, Travis worked as a traveling occupational therapist and had the opportunity to work at health centers all along the East Coast.

“My favorite thing about occupational therapy is getting to know and learning about the people we treat – their hobbies, interests, kids, plans for the future. It seems as though I’m constantly making new friends,” he says.

He also enjoys the challenges of his job, determining which of the many joint, muscle, and nerve conditions a patient might have, prescribing the appropriate treatment and exercise, and seeing improvement.

Travis enjoys time with his family, camping, hunting, fishing, golfing, and riding four wheelers at the dunes and on mountain trails.

Terrance Kinnamon, R.N.

Director of Hospice

Having worked in the field of hospice for 19 years, Terrance Kinnamon understands the ever-changing regulatory requirements and the many benefits that hospice brings to the community and the patients served. As Cascade Health’s Director of Hospice, Terrance was thrilled when Cascade Health opened the first Hospice House in Lane County, allowing hospice to serve patients and families in their home, as well as in an acute care setting when symptoms can no longer be managed at home.

“The privilege of caring for people and their families at the end of their lives has been an honor and is very rewarding,“ says Terrance. “My goal is to be able to help more community members learn about our expanding hospice program.” Terrance is a registered nurse with 20 years experience. He has also worked as a nurse in the acute hospital setting, including a neonatal intensive care unit, and previously served as a licensed practical nurse in the long-term care setting.

Terrance was raised in Globe, Arizona and after college and ten years experience working for a large hospice in Phoenix, Arizona he moved with his wife and two athletic boys to Oregon where he continued to work in the hospice field as a manager of two separate non-profit sector hospice agencies. He enjoys being active with archery target shooting, fishing, and exploring new areas of Oregon on long walks with his wife.

Margie Brooks

Executive Director of Cascade Health Foundation

Margie was born and raised on the McKenzie River and spent much of her early years as an Administrative Assistant for Presidents and CEO’s.  Having worked since she was 12-years-old, she has managed to climb the corporate ladder through her dedication and work ethic.  When changing careers in 1991 to fundraising, she quickly moved from Special Project Coordinator to Assistant Executive Director and then, in 1999, to Executive Director.  Margie’s favorite activities include antiquing, fishing and traveling.  Her favorite vacation place is Maui where she travels each year.

Rebecca Gonzalez

Director of Clinical Services

Rebecca has worked in health care for over 20 years and joined the Cascade Health team in 2018.  Her career has spanned diverse specialties from management of primary care, to project management, to developing new business and service lines, as well as construction project oversight.  Rebecca 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 pleasure of country life.