As a 501(c)(3), Volunteers in Medicine is governed by a Board of Directors. They have expertise in medicine, banking, law, education, accounting, insurance, data & analytics, hospital administration, non-profit, and for-profit management, giving us a well-rounded, big-picture way to look at our work and its impact on the community. Our Board is a dedicated group, with deep roots in VIM Cascades and its mission. We are fortunate to have each of them as part of our team.
Sarah Hall began her career in the financial services over 20 years ago. After a period of time, she left to build two highly successful businesses in the entertainment industry. One of which was a sixteen-year small business in our Central Oregon community. Returning to financial services in the beginning of 2020, Sarah joined The Desert Pine Group at Morgan Stanley who, as a team, have been providing Wealth Management Services since 1981. As a Central Oregon Native, Sarah enjoys all that the Bend area provides. She often is found in the woods with her Golden Retriever Bodi, Mountain biking the many local trails or paddle boarding on a Cascade Lake.
As Sarah continues to evolve in her career, she is excited to be part of VIM as the current board chair. “It is important to me to serve and give back to our community where I feel my skills and network can be greatly utilized. Volunteers in Medicine is impacting the hearts and health of our community. That in itself is enough to inspire my involvement.”
Austin Buskohl’s involvement with VIM Cascades began in 2019 when his employment as an IT supervisor with St.Charles Hospital coincided with the clinic’s implementation of our EPIC medical records system. He was instrumental in developing training for VIM Cascades volunteers and staff members as part of the “Go Live” support team and ensuring the software worked effectively. Austin returned as a regular weekly volunteer in 2022, helping at the front desk with eligibility screening and clinical training support. Since moving to Oregon in early 2010, Austin has worked in a variety of industries, including wildlife conservation and education, healthcare and most recently, residential real estate. He believes that the common denominator in his professional experiences is the opportunity to communicate and interact with people. When not working or volunteering at VIM Cascades, Austin and his wife can be found kayaking on the Deschutes River or one of the many Cascade Lakes.
Cody Michael moved to Bend in 2018 from Iowa, where he was raised, attended Iowa State University, and started his career with US Bank. He became familiar with VIM Cascades through the nonprofit’s relationship with US Bank and was immediately inspired by the mission, and the passion with which the volunteers and board pursue it. He says, “After two years in Bend, I am eager to give back to this warm and welcoming community.” In addition to his role as a Wealth Management Trust Advisor for US Bank, he works to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, hiking, cycling, and exploring creative endeavors like stand-up comedy, dancing and acting.
Volunteers in Medicine has an amazing team! We are excited to announce Dr. Thomas Bordieri has joined us at the board level. Bordieri began serving in VIM’s pro-bono partner network early on in his career practicing dentistry with the Skyline Dental Clinic. He continues to be a valued and passionate contributor to VIM’s volunteer team.
Dr. Bordeieri completed his bachelor’s degree in Human Biology at UC San Diego, and then completed his dental education at Roseman University College of Dental Medicine in Salt Lake with a general practice residency at UC Los Angeles. He played a pivotal role in developing and managing free dental clinics for the underserved population of San Diego and deeply understands the value of serving community.
Dr. Bordeieri believes strongly that oral health is a fundamental determinant of overall health and well being, and that access to oral health is a significant unmet need today. “I have a sense of gratitude for where I am in life and that gives me a sense of duty and motivation to do what I can to help those around me,” said Bordieri.
He loves spending his free time pursuing a variety of outdoor sports including new hobbies of hunting and fly fishing.
Edward Ewe, Ph.D., is a practicing mental health counselor and owner at Mountain River Counseling and Consulting in Bend. As a professional counselor, he has worked with individuals and couples at his private practice in Bend. In addition to counseling, Edward provided clinical supervision and taught as a professor to counseling students at OSU-Cascades and is an approved clinical supervisor in Oregon and Washington. He has 18 years of experience as a professional counselor and 15 years as a clinical supervisor. Edward was conferred the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) 2021 Outstanding Mentor Award because of his involvement and mentorship of counselors in training. Prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest, he had the opportunity to serve on an executive board at a local behavioral health organization in Oklahoma.
“I hope to serve this organization and advocate for the marginalized population in Central Oregon and improve the lives of Central Oregonians.”
Gonzalo Franco is a bilingual pastor at Westside Church, where he mainly dedicates his efforts to supporting the local Latino community and building bridges among cultures. In addition, he offers his services as an interpreter, life coach, premarital counselor and marriage mentor. He is originally from Argentina, where he received a degree in Environmentl Management. He lived in England where he worked in an international church and served refugees and asylum seekers. Afterwards, he transitioned to Spain where he functioned as an Academic Director for an international Bible school while earning his Masters in Theology. Gonzalo moved to Central Oregon in 2018, a place he loves and enjoys deeply alongside his wife and little ones. When asked about his board service he says, “Being involved with VIM Cascades is an honor, this organization offers an outstanding support to those who need it most.”
After training in medicine at McMaster University School of Medicine in Canada, Dr. Purvis began her 34 year career as a Family Physician. She had the opportunity to practice in Canada for 8 years before moving to Oregon, where she has been for over 25 years. Dr. Purvis has had varied experiences including teaching and practicing Family Medicine in urban and rural settings, in the Canadian universal system, and the American academic and private industry settings. Other experiences such as working in the Child Abuse field for 17 years as an examiner, medical director and board member have added to a broad perspective of human health, welfare, and the inequities inherent in our current systems. She says, “I believe I have the dedication and skills to help an organization such as VIM continue to provide care to the underserved population in Central Oregon.”
Fran is a board certified Emergency Physician who has worked in the Emergency Department at St Charles Hospital, Bend, Oregon for the last two decades. During that time, she served as the Medical Director of Central Oregon Emergency Physicians and more recently as Director of Acute Care Clinical Informatics. She served on the Bend Medical Staff Executive Committee from 2012-2018.
Fran attended Georgetown University for undergraduate studies, obtaining degrees in American Studies and Physics, as well as a MS in Biomedical Engineering. She attended Stanford Medical School and UCLA for residency training in Emergency Medicine. She obtained a Diploma of Tropical Medicine from the University of London. Fran used her training in Global Medicine throughout the 26 years of her Air Force career. She retired as a Colonel from the Air Force Reserves, and looks forward to other opportunities to care for underserved populations both globally and locally.
Kayley is the Vice President of Strategic Communications for St. Charles Health System, which provides her with first-hand knowledge of the many challenges facing our regional healthcare system and the special role VIM plays in reducing costs for everyone across the region. She has worked with St. Charles for 15 years and deeply understands the landscape of key players and critical partnerships in Central Oregon needed for the success of VIM and our patients.
Kayley first heard about the significance of VIM and its impact as a reporter for The Bulletin in the early 2000s. Mendenhall is a graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in environmental studies and journalism.
She strives to give her daughter, now a middle schooler, an example of the importance of giving back and helping others. In her free time, she enjoys many of Bend’s outdoor athletic activities with her family.She says, “What motivates me on a daily basis is being involved with work that helps leave our community–and ultimately, the world at large–in a better place than where it started.”
We couldn’t agree more!
Kurt Barker, with Best, Best & Krieger Attorneys at Law (formerly Karnopp Petersen), served as secretary and governance committee chair while on the VIM Cascades board. He’s practiced labor and employment law for two decades and says, “It’s hard not to be inspired by the providers I’ve met who love their work at VIM Cascades, and by the stories of success that can be found there.” Kurt is involved with numerous other organizations, including the Human Resources Association of Central Oregon (HRACO), the Deschutes County Bar Association, and the Society of Human Resources Management.
A longtime practicing OB-GYN in Central Oregon, Dr. Ronald Carver co-founded Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades (VIM Cascades) in 2001, serving as its first Medical Director and helping establish the clinic as a cornerstone of Central Oregon’s healthcare safety net. A physician with nearly 50 years of service, he earned the Bronze Star as a Navy doctor in Vietnam and later served as Chief of Staff at St. Charles Medical Center. Dr. Carver co-founded Healthy Start Prenatal Services (1989) and championed reforms to expand volunteer physician licensing in Oregon. Recognized as Doctor-Citizen of the Year by the Oregon Medical Association (2004), he secured VIM Cascades’ permanent facility in the same year and pioneered early adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs), with VIM Cascades being the first healthcare clinic in Central Oregon to implement an EMR.
Dr. Bob Hakala practiced family medicine at Bend Memorial Clinic for nearly 30 years. He is a graduate of Oregon Health Science University (OHSU), completed his internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and returned to OHSU to complete his residency in family practice. During his career, he served as Medical Staff President of St. Charles Hospital, as Chairman of the Executive Committee at Bend Memorial Clinic, and served on the St. Charles Board of Directors for six years. He retired from VIM Cascades as one of the clinic’s Co-Medical Directors in June 2016 and spent some time after his retirement volunteering as a medical provider at the clinic.
Roxana owned and operated Bridges to Communication LLC, a medical interpreter service for clinics in Central Oregon. In 2010, she was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to a 25-member Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters for a three-year term. The Council was advisory to the Oregon Department of Human Services to develop standards with respect to education, training, and testing. In 2024 Roxana was awarded the Language Access Champion award from Oregon Healthcare Interpreters Association (OHCIA) and continues to advocate for language access and interpretation in medical settings.
Jim Petersen is a VIM Cascades founder and served as past Board Chair. Jim was selected by the Bend Chamber of Commerce as Bend’s Citizen of the year in 2004 for significant and lasting contributions to the Bend Community. In addition to being an active Rotarian, he is a past Board Chair of Cascade Healthcare Community, the parent organization that owns St. Charles Medical Center-Bend and St. Charles Medical Center-Redmond. Jim has retired as an attorney from Karnopp Petersen where he practiced law since 1980.
John D. Teller, MD, feels that it is a privilege to support VIM Cascades as a vitally important option for healthcare delivery in Central Oregon. As a Board Certified Family Medicine physician retired from Bend Memorial Clinic, Dr. Teller brings a primary medical care perspective to VIM’s Emeritus Board of Directors, representing both the volunteer providers and the patients who depend on them. John received his undergraduate degree from Oregon State University and his medical degree from Oregon Health Sciences University. He completed his residency at Lutheran Family Practice in Brooklyn, New York, as well as a short-term teaching fellowship from Michigan State University. Dr. Teller also worked as the Medical and Site Director for Legacy Clinics and as a Family Physician at HealthFirst Medical Group and Tualatin Medical Center. Enjoying retirement, Dr. Teller lives part-time in both Montana and Bend, and enjoys alpine skiing, mountain bike riding and community arts in Central Oregon. In December 2020 Dr. Teller ended his ten year tenure on the board and became an Emeritus member.
Rod Ray, Ph.D. is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Bend Research, Inc., where he worked for over 30 years. Bend Research, Inc. was purchased in 2014 by Capsugel and is now owned by Lonza. Rod still remains involved as a member of their Scientific and Business Advisory Board. During his time at Bend Research, Rod held numerous positions specializing in the development and commercialization of a wide range of products. He was instrumental in directing the management of large-scale programs to advance pharmaceutical compounds through the development process to commercialization and served as the primary management contact for client companies. In addition to his expertise in advancing pharmaceutical processes and products, Rod has extensive experience in commercializing diverse products for the electronics, energy, medical, agricultural, and space industries. He is currently a consultant and board member for various pharmaceutical and technological companies.
To improve the health and wellness of the medically uninsured or critically underserved through the engagement of professionals, community partners, and dedicated volunteers.
Para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de las personas que no tienen Seguro medico o que están críticamente desatendidas a través de la participación de profesionales, socios comunitarios y voluntarios dedicados.
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