Our Leadership

Executive Team and Department Managers

Eric Van Houten, L.C.S.W.

Chief Executive Officer*

As chief executive officer, Eric Han Houten is responsible for setting the strategic direction for Cascade Health as well as ensuring that all employees and teams serve the mission and vision of the organization. Eric first joined Cascade Health in 2014 as chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in 2018. He has held leadership positions in the private, nonprofit and public sectors including managing mental health and substance abuse programs, as well as social service and primary care clinics. Eric has presented nationally on subjects including youth homelessness, intervention strategies and behavioral health treatment and policy. He was a member of the Expert Oversight Panel for the Patient Centered Primary Care Institute, and was invited to participate with the University of Washington’s AIMS Center Behavioral Health Integration Initiative. Eric graduated from Beloit College with a degree in Psychology and obtained his Masters of Social Work from Portland State University. A native of Eugene, Eric spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa and is currently the immediate past president of ShelterCare. Eric, his wife Wendy and their two daughters enjoy the rich outdoor activities of Oregon.

Linda Fleck, C.P.A.

Chief Financial Officer

Linda Fleck is the chief financial officer for Cascade Health and manages all aspects of the organization’s budget and financial health. Linda has worked in the field of healthcare for more than two decades including leadership positions at Oregon Imaging Centers, PeaceHealth and Tuality Healthcare. She became a licensed certified public accountant in 2012 and holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Masters of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Linda and her husband live in Eugene and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren and also enjoy the outdoors and Oregon Ducks football.

Travis Brooke

Director of Occupational Health

Travis Brooke leads Cascade Health’s workplace health services including occupational medicine, physical therapy, employee testing, mobile health, wellness and onsite clinics. Travis came to Cascade Health as employee relations coordinator in 2010 and was promoted to director of business development and ultimately to director of occupational health in 2013. He previously managed local employee engagement and operations for companies such as Levi Strauss and Dunham Motors. Travis 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. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree 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

Director of Clinical Services

Rebecca Gonzalez leads the five major personal health departments at Cascade Health including: behavioral health, diabetes and nutrition education, home health, in-home hospice and the Pete Moore Hospice House. She also manages Cascade Health’s buildings and facilities. Rebecca has worked in health care for more than 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.

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

Kirsten Gram leads the Diabetes and Nutrition Education Department at Cascade Health. As a dietitian and certified diabetes educator, Kirsten not only provides leadership for the department, but also sees clients 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, L.P.C.

Manager of Behavioral Health & Employee Assistance Program

Jodi DePaoli leads the Behavioral Health & EAP department at Cascade Health. Her team of counselors help their clients successfully navigate life’s challenges in order to live their best life and achieve a goal of overall wellness. Cascade’s employee assistance program has been partnering with local businesses for over 30 years in order to develop and nurture a safe and productive workplace by offering employee counseling, training, conflict resolution, supervisory consults, and other services that promote employee well-being. Jodi came to Cascade Health in 2015 and was promoted to department manager in 2019. As a counselor, 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 is also a much 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 degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bushnell University. Jodi enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids, walking her dog, practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Travis Hoffman, O.T.R.

Manager of Workers Action Program

Travis Hoffman manages Cascade Health’s Workers Action Program, which focuses on the rehabilitation of injured workers. He joined Cascade Health in 1999 after an extensive career as a both a traveling occupational therapist and a health center therapist throughout the East Coast. He is an expert at developing and managing protocols that work in collaboration with patient inputs 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.

Terrance Kinnamon, R.N.

Director of Hospice

As director of hospice for Cascade Health, Terrance Kinnamon leads one of the largest in-home Hospice services in Lane County. Terrance directs a staff of dedicated medical professionals and volunteers to provide support and care for both patients and loved ones. A veteran hospice leader, Terrance came to Cascade Health in 2014 after managing two Oregon-based hospices and a large facility in the Phoenix area. In addition to overall management, he is an expert in both state and local regulatory requirements pertaining to both palliative and hospice care. He is a registered nurse with more than 25 years’ experience and has worked in a neonatal intensive care unit and a long-term care setting. Terrance, his wife and their two sons enjoy fishing, archery and exploring the outdoors.

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.