Board of Directors

Tamara Falls, President

Tamara Falls believes advocating for policies that protect and promote health and health equity is essential to creating healthy, thriving communities. Tamara is passionate about working to dismantle institutional racism and promote equitable policies and systems. In her current role as Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer for Metropolitan Family Services, her work is focused on advocating for equitable policies and ensuring equitable and inclusive programs for BIPOC and low-income individuals and families.

Tamara has a background in human services and community engagement focused on addressing social determinants of health. She has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Human Services. She has 15+ years of experience engaging with underrepresented populations and as a trainer for equity, inclusion, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma informed care.

Tamara has served on the OPHA Board of Directors for more than a decade and has also held leadership positions on the International Association of Public Participation Board, the Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon Board, the YMCA Board, and was the Chair of the Southern Oregon Health Equity Coalition Executive Board.

JoAnn Miller, President-Elect

JoAnn is well-known throughout Oregon for her work and service to communities. Recently retired, she served as the Director of Community Health Promotion for Samaritan Health Services in Corvallis for nearly 16 years. Prior to this role, JoAnn was the Director of the Commission on Children and Families for close to 15 years in Benton County.

JoAnn has over 35 years of experience in community development and promoting public health initiatives in Washington and Oregon. She is the founder of a new consulting business, Crowned Eagle Consultants, which provides grant writing, grant reviewing, community development and networking services to organizations. JoAnn has a strong background in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with over 30 years of training and education in social justice and equity. She serves as a federal and state grant reviewer and has been overseeing grant making for nearly 30 years.

JoAnn is a strong advocate for rural communities in Oregon and strongly supports efforts that promote underserved and marginalized populations. She holds a master’s degree from Oregon State University, a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, and two associate degrees from Olympic College, and a certificate in Diversity Management from the American Hospital Association.

Phyusin Myint, Past-President

Dr. Myint is a public servant, educator, and practitioner focusing on health equity and racial justice advocacy. Myint is the Chief Equity Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Health Share of Oregon, the State’s largest coordinated care organization, serving over 440 thousand Oregonians in the Portland Metro region. Dr. Myint has been with the OPHA Board of Directors for over five years as a Region 3 Representative, President, and President-Elect.

The former Health Equity Planning and Policy Program Supervisor for Washington County Public Health, Myint supported the design, implementation, and monitoring of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to ensure that the Public Health Division operates with health and racial equity as a guiding principle. When Oregon had its first case of COVID-19 in Washington County, Myint was there to support it. In response to COVID-19, Myint served as the first Equity Officer in the Emergency Operations Center for Washington County, leading the charge to build an infrastructure to embed equity and community voice in an emergency response effort.

Robb Hutson, Treasurer

Robb Hutson is the President of Rede Group, a social impact company bringing clarity, visibility, and equity to complex public health challenges. Rede works closely with clients and partners to support evaluation, research, facilitation, training, and strategic planning, with special expertise in tobacco, cannabis, behavioral health, equity, and the intersection of climate and health. Robb regularly works in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and across the United States.

Robb has been on the OPHA board since 2012 as a Regional Representative, President, and currently is the Treasurer. Robb’s other board work has included Upstream Public Health (Vice Chair). He previously served on the board of Ski Oregon, The Clackamas County Tourism Development Council Marketing Committee, and the Columbia River Gorge/Mt. Hood Marketing Committee, and the board of Belmont Academy.

Robb is the lead organizer of CannAct, a national cannabis action conference focused on public health, youth prevention, and safety, and ToPCon; a national commercial tobacco prevention conference. He has a bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College, a master's degree from the University of Oregon, and a graduate certificate in Virtual Team Management from Cornell University.

Briana Arnold, ARGC

Passionate about advancing public health, Briana (she/her) entered the field after working domestically and abroad in agriculture. She is interested in the intersections of public health and food systems, climate adaptation, health equity, and, informed by her own rural upbringing, advancing opportunities for those living in rural areas.

Briana fosters a deep connection with food and the land and by spending most days elbow deep in the garden and pursuing adventure by backpacking, rock climbing, and alpine skiing.
Briana earned her MPH from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and a BS in Animal Sciences from Washington State University.

Armando Jimenez, Director at Large

With over 15 years of dedicated service in public health, Armando Jimenez is committed to improving health equity and language access in Oregon. His comprehensive experience spans public health leadership, health care operations, language services, emergency operations systems, health education, and grant administration. As a former health care interpreter, Armando currently serves as Director of Language Services at OHSU leading all language access programs and initiatives, including interpretation, translation, captioning, and bilingual proficiency testing.

In his previous role as Senior Program Coordinator at Washington County Public Health, he led federally funded health literacy initiatives through community-based partnerships and investments in community health workers to improve access to care for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and individuals with limited English proficiency.

As Service Branch Director for COVID-19 emergency operations at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center, Armando directed operations at the Hillsboro Stadium Vaccination Center to vaccinate over 55 thousand individuals. Armando holds a Master of Public Health from Oregon Health and Science University and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health Education from Portland State University. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Public Health Association, Centro Cultural de Washington County, and Hillsboro Community Foundation.

Laura Daily, Director at Large

Laura is the Policy and Planning Senior Program Coordinator at Washington County Public Health where she leads the Community Health Improvement Plan process and supports public health policy initiatives. Her previous experience includes public health advocacy, workforce development, and communications at the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, qualitative research and program evaluation at long-term care facilities through the PSU Institute on Aging, and direct service and eligibility determinations for SNAP and Medicaid at Aging and People with Disabilities.

Because of her time working with low-income seniors and growing up in a rural, medically underserved community, Laura decided to pursue her Master of Public Health to address gaps in social safety net policy. She completed her MPH through the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health in June 2020. Laura also has a BS in Human Services from Walden University and an AA from Southwestern Oregon Community College.

Laura grew up in Coos Bay and now lives in Beaverton with her partner, Michael. Laura is passionate about health and social policy, rural health, public health communication, and alignment of health systems.

Tosha Bock, Director at Large

Tosha Bock, a dedicated public and behavioral health leader, has deep roots in Oregon, where she has spent most of her life. Raised in small towns, Tosha settled in Portland after earning her Bachelor of Science degree. Her upbringing as a biracial woman in rural Oregon profoundly shaped her understanding of race and the complex intersections of geography, fostering a steadfast commitment to advancing health equity.

With over two decades of professional experience spanning nonprofit, county, and state-level sectors, Tosha brings a wealth of expertise to her current role as the Health Systems Integration Strategist within the Office of the State Public Health Director at the Oregon Health Authority. In this capacity, she cultivates strategic partnerships across divisions, local government, community-based organizations, coordinated care organizations, and other state sectors.

Tosha is a pivotal member of the OHA's Black, African, and African American Employee Resource Group, where she actively contributes to uplifting her colleagues through leadership opportunities. Additionally, she is the Healthy People State and Territorial Coordinator for Oregon and a recent graduate of the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program. Tosha’s passion lies in fostering trust and building connections across Oregon through a human-centered, inclusive, and trauma-informed approach. She prioritizes centering community voice, shared power, and health equity in her endeavors, striving to amplify all voices and drive cultural and structural change throughout her home state.

Annette Marcus, Director at Large

Annette Marcus is the Policy Manager for the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide at the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs. The Alliance serves in an advisory role to the Oregon Health Authority on issues related to youth and young adult suicide. The Alliance has played a key role in the passage of more than 20 pieces of legislation designed to prevent suicide and promote well-being.

Previously, Annette was the Regional Director of Oregon Family Support Network in Lane County and the Director of child abuse prevention for the Strategies program in California. Annette helped develop the Standards for Quality Family Support Practice, co-founded the National Network for Family Support, and currently serves on the board of the Trauma Healing Project. In 1986, Annette walked across the United States with 500 other people on the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament, and since then has spent her career working to prevent violence against self and others, strengthen families, and promote a culture of hope, healing and connection.

Karen Chase, Director at Large

Karen grew up in Josephine County on her grandmother’s organic farm that she started in 1931. With 10+ years at the Energy Trust of Oregon, where she has served communities and connected customers with resources, and 12+ years as an instructor in the western states for Building Operators Certification and Indoor Environmental Quality, Karen is a steadfast champion of both human and environmental health.

She has more than 24 years of experience working for the State of Oregon, including on the Governor’s Regional Solutions team, within Oregon Housing and Community Services, as a Regional Advisor for housing development, in the Oregon Department of Energy, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, and as a consultant in occupational health and industrial hygiene across Oregon industries and workplaces.

Karen has served on several boards and civic organizations, including the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization, the Illinois Valley Rotary board, the Jackson County Long Term Recovery Group board, the Siskiyou Field Institute, with the Josephine County Planning Commissioner, the Friends of Oregon Caves National Monument, and the Oregon State Managers Association.

Kimberly Valdez, Director at Large

Kimberly Valdez-Martinez is dedicated to advancing structural transformation, promoting health equity, and eradicating white supremacy culture within organizational frameworks. She champions the well-being of individuals affected by health disparities, driving public health communication, advocacy, and activism for positive change.

Kimberly is an Equity Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Human Services - Child Welfare. Her professional experience includes project management at New Avenues for Youth, curriculum development for the Mental Health Addiction Association of Oregon, and policy implementation. As an intern with Providence Medical Group, she focused on integrating equity approaches. Kimberly has extensive experience in media advocacy, quantitative research, and program evaluation, and has worked in various capacities in customer service, counseling, and administrative support. A commitment to inclusivity, cultural humility, and community engagement is demonstrated in all her roles.

Kimberly holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, and an associate degree in addiction counseling from Portland Community College. She is certified as an Oregon Traditional Health Worker-Peer Support Specialist, a Qualified Mental Health Associate, a Certified Recovery Mentor, and an Oregon Health Plan Medicaid and Marketplace Assister.

Jessica Barker, Director at Large

Jessica has 15+ years of experience in public health in roles that include senior services, chronic disease prevention, as a Program Manager for Healthy Families of Linn and Benton County, and in her current role as the Health Engagement Director for Cigna Healthcare. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion/Health Behavior, a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration, and is a Certified Health Educator.

With experience working with a diverse array of populations, Jessica prioritizes equity and inclusion, and continually seeks to address the racial inequities that exist in public health. Public health has always been a passion for Jessica, and she feels grateful that her work empowers individuals to live healthier lives.

Kala Mayer, Director at Large

Dr. Meyer is an Associate Professor at the University of Portland, School of Nursing. She completed her PhD in 2013 and MPH with a focus on social and behavioral sciences in 2014. She joined the faculty of University of Portland in 2014 following prior teaching in at two nursing programs and after extensive community organizing practice including the collaborative community-driven founding of Community Kitchens Northwest in Seattle, WA.

Dr. Mayer has taught in the undergraduate program in courses including health promotion, nutrition, and population health. Her research interests include student-faculty collaboration in undergraduate research, community-driven participatory action research, community-academic relationships, social networks and social support, innovations in nursing education, and the intersection of scholarship, service, and teaching for health and social equity and inclusion inside and outside of academia.

Angel Harris, Region 5 Representative

Angel is a Racial Equity Consultant at Angel Harris Consulting, using her natural passion to help build bridges toward racial equity and true community. She also is an Adjunct Nursing Faculty at Bushnell University and enjoys helping people learn and grow together as agents of change.

Angel is the past president of the Linn Benton NAACP, and has been a strong voice for social change within the Corvallis School District as part of the District Equity Leadership Team Advisory and the Regional Racial Equity Group. She is a board member of the Oregon Public Health Association, the Oregon Nurses Foundation, the Linn Benton Lincoln Health Equity Alliance, and is a member of the Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon.

Originally from Mississippi, Angel attended Oregon State University and graduated in 2001 from Linfield University School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science. She worked 9+ years in medical-surgical, oncology, and pediatrics in the hospital in Corvallis, and 8+ years in long term care. In 2021, Angel returned to school and graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2023. Angel is a mother of three with her husband of over twenty years.

Amber Henderson, Region 4 Representative

Amber Henderson is a mother and OHA professional who resides in Pendleton, Oregon. Amber’s equity and antiracist journey began early in life when she was a student moving through the school system advocating and insisting on black history being added to the curriculum. Professionally, Amber began as the lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expert while working for the local community mental health provider in Umatilla County. From there, she had a brief stint as DEI coordinator at the local CAP agency before landing in her current role at OHA.

Working with community, hearing their stories, and supporting the advancement of their own goals is one of Amber’s favorite perks of the work she is involved in. Amber truly believes if she has made a positive impact on one human, then she has made a meaningful difference.

Fatima Herrera-Zarate, Region 3 Representative

Fatima is a certified Community Health Worker in the Care Management department at Providence Medical Group. As a first-generation college graduate, she holds a BA in Public Health from Portland State University and is currently pursuing a Master in Public Health at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, with a focus on Healthcare Management and Policy. As a former dental assistant working in underserved communities, Fatima has a strong understanding of the systemic barriers people face when accessing healthcare services.

Fatima has a deep passion for public health and has been an active member of the Oregon Public Health Association board for the past three years, serving as region three representative and head of the development committee. Her diverse interests and background give her a unique perspective for improving healthcare delivery for all.

Stacy Brubaker, Region 2 Representative

Having received her bachelor’s in social work in 1988 and her master’s in social work in 2006, Stacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recently completed her Certificate in Public Health. She has held a variety of positions serving populations that are marginalized in society. Working in impoverished areas with those experiencing a high risk for negative outcomes has grounded her career and solidified her beliefs around poverty and racial bias, and the negative impacts these create.

Stacy has a variety of experience working with adults, children, and their families, in both urban and rural settings. Stacy is passionate about community work and the value we all bring to the table collectively. For the past eleven years she has been providing safety net services to the citizens of Jackson County and is committed to strengthening community partnerships to improve outcomes for children and adults.

Stacy is the Department Director of Health and Human Services in Jackson County. Stacy is the mother of three young adult daughters, who along with Stacy and her husband, Ladd, live in Medford.

Kasia Kujawski, Region 1 Representative

Kasia is the Manager of Health Government Affairs at Albertsons Companies, Inc. In her role, Kasia supports the Pharmacy Compliance and Health teams through policy advocacy, legislative and regulatory surveillance, and government partnerships to improve patient access to healthcare through innovations in retail pharmacy and grocery. Her previous experience in health policy and research spans various roles at University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Novo Nordisk, and PolicyLab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Pursuing a Master of Public Health has allowed Kasia to tap into her passion for health policy and equity. Kasia combines her graduate research in food insecurity and previous experience in pharmaceuticals to unlock unique collaborative opportunities in the private sector to advocate for positive health outcomes for underserved communities. Kasia has a Master of Public Health from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from DePaul University.

Julie Plagenhoef, Nursing Section Representative

Julie supports the Nurse-Family Partnership and Babies First! nurse home visiting programs for the Maternal and Child Health section of the Oregon Health Authority. She believes that home visiting changes lives and is honored to be a part of this work for over six years. Prior to joining the MCH team, Julie worked at various times as a pediatric medical and adult trauma nurse, an epidemiologist, a biostatistician, and a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Sharon Coryell, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Section Representative

Sharon Coryell is an epidemiologist who earned her master’s degree from Oregon Health and Science University. She has dedicated the past nine years to work at the Oregon Health Authority in Health Promotions and Chronic Disease Prevention as Tobacco Epidemiologist.

Sharon has also spent the last four years working within a community-based organization, applying her epidemiological expertise to support housing initiatives. By collaborating with the community and partners, Sharon has addressed local health disparities and promoted health equity, ensuring that the houseless population in Clackamas County receive the support and resources they need. These dual roles have allowed Sharon to influence public health policy and practice and make a tangible difference at the community level.

Gregory Sebastian, Healthy Environment Section Representative

Greg Sebastian has a Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management with a focus on natural disaster community prevention/outreach and mitigation. He has a Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice from Oregon State University. Greg has worked in health and sociological research for the past decade, with work on studies ranging from early education intervention, adolescent alcohol abuse risk factors, substance misuse, suicidality, and trauma. He currently works on a study developing a more mobile means of diagnosing hidden hearing loss and audio processing disorders.

Greg has previously worked as a police Community Services Officer and as a wildland firefighter. He has an extensive background in volunteering, including for the Search and Rescue Community Emergency Response Team, where he assisted with the 2009/2010 swine flu vaccination clinics and began his public health journey. He also volunteered with the USCG Auxiliary's Marine Safety and Environmental Protection and Recreational Boating Safety programs, conducting public education and outreach. He has volunteered for several years on the parish council at his local church, and is interested in community prevention education, outreach, and community partnership development.