Corvallis Health: New Dollars Help People Leaving Incarceration, Samaritan’s New Hospital Leader, Upcoming Blood Drives

The Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties, or CHC, will be getting a chunk of a $52 million Biden administration grant initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for folks reentering communities after incarceration. Okay, our little hamlet will only see a fraction of those funds – 54 awards were distributed across the United States.

But hey, we’re a small enough population that the benefit is still going to be substantive.

Three health centers in Oregon were selected: Benton/Linn, Lane, and Multnomah counties. All three are public-entity organizations, with ties to local government structures, relationships, and resources.

All the awarded centers will explore innovative approaches to enhance community integration, primary care access, and support systems for individuals navigating justice spaces, health care systems, and community resources.

The funding was  announced by the Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA.

Why it’s important: The transition from incarceration back into community is marked by heightened health risks, including chronic disease management challenges, mental health needs, substance use disorders, and increased risk of opioid overdose. The CHC of Benton and Linn Counties goals for the funding include:

  • Provide comprehensive care to individuals prior to their release from incarceration, ensuring continuity of care.
  • Offer case management services to address social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and food security.
  • Collaborate with community partners to create seamless connections between healthcare and social support systems.

“This award aligns with our mission to serve all populations in Benton and Linn Counties with access to high quality care,” said Lacey Mollel, Executive Director at CHC of Benton and Linn Counties. “By integrating primary care with justice-informed services, we aim to reduce health disparities and foster healthier, more stable communities.”

To learn more about this initiative or CHC of Benton and Linn Counties, visit www.bentonlinnhealthcenters.org .

New CEO for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center has named Josiah “Sy” Johnson as its new chief executive officer.

According to spokesperson Mark Ylen, Johnson brings extensive health care leadership experience, most recently serving as system chief operating officer at Renown Health in Reno, which is Northern Nevada’s largest health system. Before that, he spent several years in executive leadership roles at PeaceHealth, including serving in a progression of regional CFO, COO and CEO roles in Longview and Vancouver, Washington.

“I am excited to explore how we can continue to build Good Sam to provide the best possible service,” Johnson said. “Samaritan is a robust and growing health system that serves a large population across a broad geographic area and Good Sam serves as the clinical hub. I see tremendous opportunities for continued development and growth.”

A national award-winning senior executive with more than 20 years of health care experience, Johnson brings deep expertise in strategic, operational and financial areas. He graduated from the University of Arizona and earned a master in business administration from the University of Wyoming. He began his career as a certified public accountant with an international accounting firm in the Seattle area.

Reflecting on his career path, Johnson said, “In my early career, I had the opportunity to work with senior executives across many industries. What drew me to health care was observing how health care executives were specifically focused on and personally driven to help others.”

Johnson emphasizes the importance of community engagement. “You have to love where you work and where you live to have a truly worthwhile whole experience,” he said. “I always strive to be an active part of the community, and so far, I love what I’ve learned about Corvallis. It’s been great getting started here.”

“What every nonprofit health care organization strives for is connecting mission with action,” Johnson said. “In meeting Samaritan’s leaders, I found wonderful individuals all genuinely committed to bringing the organization’s core mission to life.”

This month’s blood drives

What would an Advocate health column be without a nudge to donate blood – we don’t really even want to find out. We just want you to donate blood, so please do that. Schedule an appointment this December by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Here’s the whens and wheres for the next month’s local blood drives…

Corvallis

12/9/2024: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Fitness Over 50, 6735 SW Country Club Dr

12/9/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Corvallis Elks Lodge #1413, 1400 NW 9th St

12/10/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, 400 SW 1st Street

12/13/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bi-Mart Store #604, 2045 NW 9th St

12/13/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2650 NW Highland Dr.

12/16/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suburban Christian Church, 2760 SW 53rd St.

12/17/2024: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th St

12/17/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Corvallis Clinic Corvallis- Aumann Building, 444 NW Elks Dr

12/24/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., LDS – Corvallis Stake, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd.

12/30/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Circle Church of Christ Corvallis, 2020 NW Circle Blvd.

1/2/2025: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Alternative Co-Op, 1007 SE 3rd Street

1/3/2025: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave

Philomath

12/13/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 2540 Applegate St

12/24/2024: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Fire and Rescue, 1035 Main Street

 

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