The Hospital Association of Oregon has a mission to ensure all Oregonians have excellent, dependable hospitals in their communities today, tomorrow, and for decades to come.

What we stand for

The Hospital Association of Oregon works to ensure all Oregonians can depend on access to care in their communities. We are committed to working with partners to advance policy that will support hospitals so they can support their communities for generations to come.

Oregon hospitals by the numbers

Oregon’s hospitals are health care providers, employers, innovators and champions for their communities. From the birth of a child to a life-saving medical procedure, our hospitals’ doors are always open to provide stability, support and care to all Oregonians.

Here are some numbers that demonstrate hospitals’ commitment to Oregonians:

Babies Delivered
30000
Oregon hospitals delivered nearly 40,000 babies in 2021.
Patient Visits
7000000
In 2021, Oregon hospitals performed over 7 million outpatient visits, equivalent to every person in Oregon visiting a clinic twice.
Hospitals
0

The Hospital Association of Oregon represents 62 hospitals located across 32 counties in the state.

Emergency Patients
700000
Oregon hospitals treated 767,500 people in its emergency departments in 2021.
Hospitals
0

The Hospital Association of Oregon represents 61 hospitals located across 32 counties in the state.

Employees
60000
In 2020, 70,000 people were directly employed by Oregon hospitals, a number bigger than the population of the state’s ninth largest city. An additional 83,000 jobs were linked to economic activities generated by Oregon hospitals.

How hospitals drive economies

The Hospital Association of Oregon is proud to advocate on behalf of its 61 member hospitals. Together they employ 70,000 people.

Billion
$ 20

The effect of hospitals’ total expenses on the total output of Oregon’s economy.

Billion
$ 1

Oregon hospitals invested over  $2 billion in their communities in fiscal year 2022.

Percent
10

Nearly 13% of Oregon hospitals’ resources were dedicated to their communities to address health-related needs.

Million
$ 200

Oregon’s hospitals provided $292 million in free care to patients in fiscal year 2021.

Million
$ 10

In fiscal year 2021, Oregon hospitals spent $79 million in community health improvements, including community building activities, vaccine clinics, preventive screenings, and education activities, at no cost to Oregonians.

Million
$ 100

Oregon hospitals dedicated $304 million to research and training doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

No matter where you live, access to hospital care is a vital component of a healthy community.

Across the state, 37 small and rural hospitals work tirelessly to provide care to more than 1.4 million residents. In many of these communities, hospitals are the largest local employer, providing family wage jobs and much needed economic stimulus and stability across the region. Not only do rural hospitals provide vital community infrastructure and support services, but also they play a significant role in the entire health care system within Oregon.

Small and rural hospitals in Oregon face many unique challenges due to their size and distance to other care centers. The Hospital Association of Oregon will always advocate for our rural hospitals and the critical resources they provide in their communities.

Oregon hospital map

Hospitals are more than just buildings, they are cornerstones within the communities they serve. The Hospital Association of Oregon represents 61 hospitals across the state. Learn more about the hospitals in your community.

John Renzema

Vice President of Technology

With more than a decade of IT experience, John brings critical expertise to his work with the Hospital Association of Oregon. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, John has redesigned internal networks and plays an important role supporting the hospital association’s day-to-day operations. When he’s not working, you can find John planning or cycling a 50-mile-long bike ride.

Kritika Dhungana

Senior Financial Accountant

Kritika brings to her role experience at a global financial bank, the Oregon Health Authority and a public accounting firm. She has a strong background in accounting, financial analysis and policy development, and is proficient in a variety of accounting and finance software applications. Kritika holds a master’s degree in public accounting from Morgan State University. Outside of her professional pursuits, she finds joy in reading, hiking, gardening and spending quality time with her family.

Mary Sue Corff

Director of Accounting

Mary Sue has been a core member of the finance team for more than a decade. A certified public accountant, Mary Sue works to ensure that Oregon hospital resources are safe and secure. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma and holds a master’s degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University. Outside of work, Mary Sue enjoys painting, reading, spending time with family and gardening. 

Helene Anderson

Vice President of Capacity and Outreach

Helene is an innovative clinical leader who is changing the way Oregon hospitals track and evaluate data, solve hospital capacity challenges and manage critical resources. Helene earned a doctoral degree in nursing practice focused on integrating communications and teamwork to improve quality outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling and spending time with her family.

Becca Thomsen

Director of Communications

Becca manages media relations for the hospital association and serves as project manager for its communications efforts. She brings more than 15 years of experience crafting communications that help organizations connect with Oregonians and shape community understanding of issues. Prior to joining the hospital association, Becca served as media relations lead for the state’s largest provider of Oregon Health Plan services and worked as a communications consultant. Becca earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, Becca enjoys exploring the region’s parks and playgrounds with her two young children, cooking up a hearty meal and listening to podcasts.

 

Danielle Meyer

Director of Public Policy

With an extensive background in public policy, Danielle works to ensure the well-being of hospital staff, medical professionals and patients. A compassionate problem-solver, Danielle convenes stakeholders to discuss behavioral health and nurse staffing policy, including hosting a statewide nurse staffing summit. Danielle has a background in social service and has dedicated her career to collaboration. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Whittier College and her master’s degree in social service from Bryn Mawr College. In her spare time, Danielle loves to cook, spend time outdoors and cheer on the Portland Thorns with her family.

Katie Harris

Associate Vice President of Policy and Federal Advocacy

Katie’s background in public health, along with her strong working relationships with Oregon’s congressional delegation, has made her a powerful advocate for rural hospitals within Oregon and on behalf of all hospitals at the federal level. Katie also managed the development of the Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit, an innovative approach to improving safety for patients and staff that has been adopted statewide and across the country. Katie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. When Katie is not working to advance rural health or monitoring Congress, you can find her reading novels or the news, putting her green thumb to use or exploring Oregon with her family.

Mariana Mendoza

Member Engagement Program Manager

Mariana develops and coordinates member engagement initiatives. She also provides invaluable support in planning membership meetings and keeping member information organized and updated. She has a background in project management and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Outside of the office, Mariana loves to explore new places, cook and spend time with her cat.

Wendy Gale

Membership Manager and Board Liaison

Wendy has been a key member of the hospital association team for more than a decade. Wendy ensures the success of the hospital association by supporting its board of trustees and several committees, and by keeping a beat on member organizations. She also has a central role in executing signature events for the organization, including its annual membership meeting, leadership summit and board retreat. Outside of the office, Wendy enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Halin Zindell

Administrative Coornidator

Halin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in health studies from the Florida College of Integrative Medicine.  Halin is an acupuncturist and for over a decade owned an alternative medicine clinic on Bainbridge Island, Washington.  Halin enjoys travel and has lived in seven states, the Philippines and Hong Kong.  Bikram yoga, bicycling and three daughters keep her life full of adventure.

Jason Hershey

Vice President of Finance and Accounting

Jason brings a fresh perspective to the hospital association, where he draws on a range of experience in finance and accounting. Prior to joining the team, Jason held various roles within the tax practice at PwC, as well as corporate finance positions at aerospace manufacturing and software companies. He has also served as treasurer and board member for other non-profit organizations. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double major in economics and finance from Seattle University. Outside of work, he enjoys golf and playing the violin with his community orchestra.

Dave Northfield

Director of Digital Content

Dave tells the story of Oregon’s community hospitals to audiences on the hospital association’s digital platforms and to the public through the news media. Prior to joining the team, he spent five years directing communications for a large Portland area health system and was also an award-winning television news reporter and anchor. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. In his spare time, you can find Dave in the kitchen, playing the piano, running and enjoying outdoor sports like skiing and tennis.

Lisa Goodman

Vice President of Communications

Lisa leads the hospital association’s communications strategies to raise awareness of the public policies and advocacy efforts that strengthen Oregon’s community hospitals. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience telling the health care story including her work as the public information and government affairs officer for a large health system, a senior consultant for a health care B-to-B public relations and marketing firm and an award-winning reporter for newspapers in Oregon, Texas and Utah. Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In her free time, she can be found trail running, mountain biking, doing CrossFit or moonlighting as a cab driver for her two sons.

Andi Easton

Vice President of Government Affairs

Andi leads the advocacy team at the hospital association, where she is responsible for ensuring that hospitals are well represented in policy debates at the state and federal level. She acts as a liaison to the state legislature, regulatory agencies and the broader health care community for Oregon’s 62 hospitals. Leading a coalition of hospital-affiliated advocates, Andi develops effective policy engagement strategies and ensures coordination among partners with sometimes differing needs and priorities.

With extensive political experience spanning over two decades, Andi understands the significance of building authentic relationships with legislators, state agency leaders and coalition partners. Her work is crucial in negotiating statewide health care policies that advance the hospital association’s public policy agenda. She has an impressive track record of legislative achievements and a reputation for tenacity and smart advocacy. Andi holds a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Oregon State University. Outside of work, she expresses her imagination and creativity in her garden, enjoys spending time with good friends and planning family adventures for her husband and daughter.

Troy Duker

Legislative Director

Troy advocates for the hospital association’s legislative priorities in Salem and co-coordinates on political strategy. Since his very first legislative session in 2017, Troy has built critical bipartisan relationships in Salem with legislators, state officials and their staff.  He brings years of political experience to the advocacy team, having served as Sen. Lew Frederick’s chief of staff moving key legislation through the process and as the Early Learning Division’s government affairs manager assisting with the creation of the Department of Learning and Care. Troy earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Montana State University. When he’s not making things happen in the Capitol, Troy can be found camping or hiking.

Andy Van Pelt

Executive Vice President, CEO of Apprise Health Insights

Andy draws on more than 14 years of experience with the hospital association. His long list of accomplishments includes leading the effort to develop the first real-time, fully automated statewide hospital capacity dashboard in the country. Andy also created the Rural Health Reform Initiative to develop an alternative Medicaid payment model for Oregon’s rural hospitals. Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business, both from Gonzaga University. Outside of work he enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife, four kids and two dogs.

Rebecca Tiel

Senior Vice President of Operations and Membership

Rebecca oversees human resources, office operations, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and board engagement. She also leads the membership team. Her expertise spans health policy, organizational development and management. Prior to her current role, Rebecca was a part of the hospital association’s policy team and previously worked as a public health analyst for the Oregon Health Authority. Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys tending to her community garden plot and taking her dog for walks in one of Portland’s many parks.

Meghan Bours Slotemaker

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Meghan leads the policy team and serves as the general counsel. She has a uniquely formed understanding of health care policy with an eye toward achieving pragmatic solutions. Meghan received her master’s degree in public health from Emory University – Rollins School of Public Health and received her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School. Prior to law school, Meghan served hospitals as a consultant. During law school, Meghan was an extern, law clerk and head law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon. After law school, Meghan was a judicial law clerk for Judge Michael W. Mosman of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Later, she advised hospitals and others as an attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Outside of work, Meghan enjoys cheering on her children at sports games, traveling and serving our communities through mother-daughter volunteering with the National Charity League.

Sean Kolmer

Executive Vice President of External Affairs

Sean leads the advocacy and communications teams at the hospital association, where he leverages his decades of experience working on Oregon health care policy and politics to build coalitions and advance priority policies for hospitals and their communities. In his tenure at the association, Sean led the successful 2020 ballot measure campaign to increase the tobacco and e-cigarette tax to ensure a dedicated Medicaid funding package. Prior to this role, Sean worked as senior advisor in the offices of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Gov. Kate Brown, where he helped expand health care coverage to more than one million Oregonians. Sean earned his bachelor’s degree from Linfield College and his master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. He enjoys spending his time with his wife and two kids, on a golf course or agonizing over his beloved Chicago Bears.

Becky Hultberg

President and CEO

Becky Hultberg is the president and chief executive officer of the Hospital Association of Oregon, where she combines her expertise in health care policy with a proven record of leadership to advocate on behalf of Oregon’s hospitals and their patients. As CEO of the hospital association since 2019, Becky has guided Oregon’s hospitals through complex challenges, including securing state support for staffing contracts in the early stage of the pandemic and creating COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Becky’s journey to becoming a national leader began in her work as press secretary for an Alaskan governor. But the transformational experience of watching her husband go through open heart surgery inspired her to work towards ensuring that all hospitals have the resources they need to care for all people in the same way they cared for her family. Becky went on to lead the Alaska Department of Administration (DOA) as commissioner, where she reduced state employee health care costs for two consecutive years and led the reduction of the state’s long-term unfunded health care liability by more than $3 billion. Following her successful leadership at DOA, she was tapped to serve as president and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association before finding a new home in Oregon.

Her state-level success propelled her into national hospital leadership roles. Becky has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Hospital Association (AHA), and she currently serves on the AHA PAC Steering Committee. Becky also advocated for hospital regulatory relief in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

Becky earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Abilene Christian University in Texas and her master’s degree in business administration from Ball State University in Indianapolis. When she’s not advocating for the well-being of her community, Becky spends time reading interesting things, watching sports, and recreating in Oregon’s beautiful outdoors. 

There are multiple cross-sectional rural hospital classifications at the state and federal level.

These classifications are important as they can help determine how hospitals get reimbursed for the care they provide to Medicare and Medicaid patients as well as regulations they must follow. They include: 

  • State definitions of hospital types: Type A, Type B, or Type C hospitals 
  • Federal special designations: Critical Access Hospital
  • Geographic definitions: rural, frontier, health district 

The designation of Type A, Type B, and Type C hospitals is unique to Oregon.

  • Type A hospitals have 50 or fewer inpatient beds and are located more than 30 miles from another acute care facility. There are 12 Type A hospitals in Oregon. 
  • Type B hospitals have 50 or fewer inpatient beds and are located less than 30 miles from another acute care facility. There are 21 Type B hospitals in Oregon.  
  • Type C hospitals are located in rural communities, have more than 50 inpatient beds, but are not rural referral centers. There are 2 Type C hospitals in Oregon.

Critical Access Hospitals

Twenty-five of Oregon’s 37 rural hospitals are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), which is a federal program designed to improve rural health care access and reduce hospital closures. All CAHs have 25 or fewer inpatient beds, are located more than 35 miles from another hospital, maintain an average length of stay of 96 hours or less for acute care patients and provide 24/7 emergency care services.  

Rural

Rural hospitals are located in geographic areas in Oregon 10 or more miles from the center of a population center of 40,000 people or more. There are 37 rural hospitals in Oregon.

Frontier

Frontier hospitals are hospitals located in a frontier county, defined in Oregon as a county with a population density of six or fewer people per square mile. There are seven frontier hospitals in Oregon.

Health district

Health district hospitals are hospitals under the control of a formal health district. In most cases the controlling entity is the local county government, which allows the hospital to operate in rural areas when they otherwise could not afford to do so. Twelve hospitals in Oregon are part of a health district.

Who we are

Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 community hospitals. 

Committed to fostering a healthier, safer Oregon with equitable access to care, the hospital association provides services to Oregon’s hospitals to support them as they care for their communities; educates government officials, policymakers and the public on the state’s health landscape; and works collaboratively with policymakers, community organizations, and the health care community to build consensus on and advance solution-based health care policy benefiting the state’s 4 million residents. 

Led by President and CEO Becky Hultberg, the hospital association is governed by an elected board of trustees and guided by a staff of health care policy and advocacy experts.