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PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, CareOregon announced Tina Edlund and Dr. Kimberlynn Heller have joined its Board of Directors. The new members bring a wealth of experience in health care policy and delivery, and they share a dedication to serving Oregon Health Plan members.

“We’re excited to welcome Tina and Dr. Heller to the board,” said Eric C. Hunter, CareOregon CEO. “They each bring a deep level of expertise from their respective fields. Tina has been instrumental in the development of health care transformation in Oregon, and her expertise will help us navigate the new requirements of the Medicaid 1115 waiver. Dr. Heller’s clinical expertise, strong community connections and commitment to reducing barriers will help ensure we are getting care to the people who need it most.”

Tina Edlund brings an extensive background in health care policy. Her career has included positions spanning three Oregon governors, and has been dedicated to improving access to high-quality, affordable health care. She served as the Chief of Policy at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and most recently as Senior Health Policy Advisor for Gov. Kate Brown. She also served as Gov. Brown’s Medicaid waiver advisor, working with the OHA to develop the initial framework for the new Medicaid 1115 waiver that expands coverage for health-related social needs. Hedlund graduated from the University of Oregon, and she has a master’s degree from Portland State University.

“With so many Oregonians counting on the Oregon Health Plan, I look forward to working with the organization that has been at the forefront of ensuring access to high-quality care for our state's most vulnerable,” Edlund said. “I share CareOregon’s commitment to centering equity and community while working to ensure access to coordinated physical, behavioral and dental health care services, but also in addressing health-related social needs that ultimately affect people's ability to thrive.”

Dr. Kimberlynn Heller, D.O., brings clinical experience and a strong commitment to community building and decreasing disparities in health care delivery. She is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at The Oregon Clinic, where she has served as a member of their Board of Directors and as chair of the marketing committee. Dr. Heller has served on various committees with CareOregon for more than a decade, and she has been recognized by her peers as a Portland Top Doctor for three consecutive years. Dr. Heller graduated from Howard University and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“The recent pandemic has exposed many disparities in health care in Oregon, and around the country. CareOregon is committed to addressing and eliminating inequities in care, which improves outcomes for all Oregonians,” Heller said. “When I graduated from medical school, my uncle told me that was only the beginning. If I wanted to make a difference, I needed to learn how the system worked, then make it better. As a Board member, my hope is to continue to learn and to make a difference in any way that I can.”

The CareOregon Board of Directors makes fiduciary decisions on behalf of the nonprofit organization, including hiring senior executives and making decisions on major investments. The board also helps CareOregon set goals and supports senior management in pursuit of those goals.

For information, contact Becca Thomsen, 503-416-3756, thomsenb@careoregon.org

About CareOregon

For more than 25 years, CareOregon has offered health services and community benefit programs to Oregon Health Plan members. Today, CareOregon supports the needs of more than 500,000 Oregonians through three coordinated care organizations, a Medicare Advantage plan, a Tribal Care Coordination program, a dental care organization, and in-home medical care with Housecall Providers. CareOregon members have access to integrated physical, dental and mental health care, and substance use treatment. We believe that good health requires more than clinics and hospitals, so we also connect members to housing, fresh food, education and transportation services. CareOregon is a mission-driven, community-based nonprofit with offices in Portland, Medford and Seaside, Oregon.