Cascade Health Palliative Care Team

Rebecca Heigl, RN

Palliative Care Manager

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Rebecca Heigl, R.N. started working in health care at the age of 18. In the fall of 2021, she moved from the metro Portland, Ore. area to join Cascade Health as their Hospice and Palliative Care manager. Her passion for a positive end-of-life experience for everyone fuels her motivation to maintain Cascade Health Hospice’s high-quality scores and reputation as the best hospice care provider in the greater Eugene area. In her personal time, Rebecca enjoys raising and encouraging her two boys, and deeply appreciates every opportunity to spend time with the people she loves most.

Laura Helfrich, RN

Palliative Care Manager

While spending the first 11 years in the clinic and hospital setting, Laura learned that people heal better in their homes. Laura joined the home health team 10 years ago. Laura has been a leader and nurse educator in home health, always looking for innovative ways to provide services to patients in their home. Serving the community towards better health is what brings gratification to Laura’s work life. She also enjoys gardening, sewing, spending time with her grandkids.

Kathleen Cordes, MD

Medical Director

• Kathleen Cordes, MD practiced medicine for more than 30 years before joining Cascade Health in 2020. Originally from Minnesota, she earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Concordia College before graduating as a Doctor of Medicine from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. She moved to Oregon in 1989 and worked as a physician, medical director and medical consultant, then opened her own practice in 1994. Dr. Cordes is an avid scuba diver and enjoys underwater photography and fish identification, as well as sewing, baking, reading, exploring Oregon and gathering with friends and family.

Steve Belzer, RN

Assistant Manager

Pronouns: he/him/his
Steve joined Cascade Health nurse in 2019 and became the department’s assistant manager in 2020. He began his career in healthcare as a medication aide in an assisted living facility. It was there that he was first introduced to hospice, which sparked his interest in nursing. Steve earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Macalester College and his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland. Outside of work, Steve is a busy father of two and enjoys getting outdoors with his family to hike, swim, forage for mushrooms, camp and snowboard in Oregon’s beautiful and varied landscape.

Sarah Jane Petersen

Medical Social Worker

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Sarah Jane Petersen has been a licensed clinical social worker for patients and families in health care settings since 1994. She has worked at Cascade Health in hospice and palliative care for the last 12 years.. In addition to her work with Cascade Health, Sarah Jane facilitates support groups for the Oregon Cancer Foundation and The Fertility Center and previously for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She and her husband have twin girls in college and love camping. Sarah Jane also loves running, dancing, reading and spending time with friends.

Joan Harvey, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Joan worked for more than 30 years as a critical care nurse before obtaining her master’s degree as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in 2014Joan particularly enjoys working with elders and is honored to have the opportunity to help people and their families navigate advanced illness and the end of life. On her days off, Joan enjoys hiking, trips to the coast, lunches with friends and her meditation practice.

Debbie Wilson

RN Case Manager