Board Members

President

Katie Kemble, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, FAANP

Dr. Kemble received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Washington and FNP/PA certificate at Stanford University. She is an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Confluence Health and Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Washington, Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing. She conducts and facilitates translational research and has spent 30+ years creating innovative programs supporting cancer survivors and the communities they live in.

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Vice President

Tamara Wells, OTR/L, CLT

Tamara is an occupational therapist certified both as a manual lymphedema therapist and neurodevelopmental therapist. She specializes in advanced problem solving for lymphedema and rehabilitation. Tamara has extensive training and experience working with cancer survivors and is a frequent lecturer on risk reduction practices, exercises to stimulate lymph function, and lymphedema management.

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Administrative Secretary

Jill LaRue, FNP, ARNP

Jill is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner of 30 years. She practiced in Cashmere for Confluence Health and retired in May 2015. She believes that healthy lifestyles are crucial to our sense of wellbeing. She loves spending time outdoors, whether it be biking, hiking, Nordic skiing, gardening, or walking the dog.

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Treasurer

Tim Burnham, PhD

Dr. Burnham is a Professor of Exercise Science at Central Washington University. His research interests include cancer survivorship issues and developing cancer survivorship rehabilitation programs. He has multiple peer-reviewed journal publications, which look at the interaction between physical activity and physical and psychosocial function.

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Board member Dr. Maggie Ellings received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Washington. She is an oncology nurse practitioner who has a special interest in cancer survivorship. Her doctoral research focused on sexual health and relationship intimacy discussions for those with cancer. She has received multiple scholarships for her doctoral work and for her experience in women's health.

Board member Dr. Pat Vetter received her Bachelor’s in Pharmacy at the University of Montana, and her Doctorate of Pharmacy at the University of Washington.  She is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and has worked with Oncology Infusion services since 2012.  Pat is also a licensed Small Animal Massage Therapist.  She believes massage enhances the quality of life for both the pet and the person giving the massage.

Guest Lecturers

Susan Butler, ARNP is an oncology nurse practitioner at Confluence Health. She earned her Master’s in Nursing from Gonzaga University. Upon graduation, she worked at Island Hospital in Anacortes where she started their survivorship and chemotherapy education programs. She has a special interest in palliative care, symptom management, and wellness education. She enjoys playing music, knitting, and exercise.

Thomas Carlson, MD is a midwestern native from a blue-collar family, he obtained an engineering degree from Arizona State University, an MD from University of Arizona, and completed residency in Radiation Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He strongly believes everyone has the responsibility to take charge of their life and get the information necessary for them to make healthcare decisions based on their own personal goals.

Jenn CrawfordLeRoy, CYT, CAWC has been teaching yoga since 2000 to multiple populations. Well-trained in multiple therapeutic yoga lineages, traditions, and developments, Jenn is also an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach and brings a breadth of yoga therapeutic principles to her students. She invites joy, curiosity, strength and learning to every session.

Natalie Harris, MS, RD, CD is a Registered Dietitian in Oncology at Confluence Health. She has been a dietitian for 10 years working in a variety of settings; however, Oncology has been her favorite area of nutrition. In addition to providing nutrition education and support, Natalie enjoys developing relationships with her patients and encouraging them towards health in all aspects of their lives.

Ginny Heinitz, BSN, RN, CHPN has worked for over 35 years bringing forth the patient’s story in health care. She and an MD started the palliative care program at Confluence Health several years ago. She believes that the patient is the expert of themselves and we in health care need to listen to their story in order to provide the best possible care for the unique individual person as they define living well. She is active in two state steering committees that augment her philosophy for the patient’s needs. She is a national instructor for Vital Talks and Respecting Choices. She is certified from the Cambia Excellence of Palliative Care Program at the University of Washington.

Dr. Amanda Esmond, PT, DPT, OCS is Lead Physical Therapist at Confluence Health, plus teacher yoga and Pilates. She has Doctorate of Physical Therapy and is certified in Orthopedics from the American Physical Therapy Association. She has special interests in sports rehabilitation, orthopedics, orthotic therapy, and manual therapy. Amanda enjoys working with special populations.

Dr. Mitch Garrison, MD specializes in Hematology and Oncology at Confluence Health. He is the President of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group and chair of the Board of Directors. He has a strong belief in the inherent value of every human being. He desires to bring the most compassionate, evidence-based care to those living with the cancer diagnosis. Dr. Garrison hopes to expand the reach of his care through the leadership of a health care organization that can heal and help thousands of people.

Mary Gunkel, BAE, RN, RYT200 has been an oncology nurse for over 20 years and also has a teaching degree. She currently manages an oncology program that spans four rural counties in Eastern Washington. She is a registered yoga teacher at the 200-hour level in the viniyoga tradition and teaches restorative yoga, therapeutic yoga, and yoga nidra. She is currently working towards her 500-hour level in her yoga training. Mary volunteers much of her time teaching yoga to support cancer survivors and community-based programs.

Phylicia Hancock-Lewis, MSN, FNP, ARNP is a nurse practitioner with extensive experience in family practice, women's health, and psychosocial issues unique to cancer survivorship. She dedicates much of her time to community educational programs, women’s health outreach classes, and children's programs focusing on health promotion and disease prevention with lifestyle modifications.

Teri Hugo Hirss, M.Ed. is a registered movement therapist and educator. She is a life coach and stress management consultant. She leads retreats internationally, as well as, from her home base in the green Mountains of Vermont. Teri has spent the last 30 years empowering women to live their lives fully and joyfully.

Dr. Nicolas Tiva Kummer, MD-PhD, specializes in radiation oncology at Confluence Health where his is the Physician Manager. Dr. Kummer completed medical school at New York Medical College, while also pursuing a doctorate in cancer immunology, investigating the involvement of inflammatory genes in cancer progression. He found his passion in the field of radiation oncology, completing residency at UCLA and finally settling down in Wenatchee. During graduate school, he enjoyed giving talks, which has evolved into a passion for patient education. He seeks to connect with patients on their cancer journey and prioritize what is important to them in terms of quality life years.

Dr. Bonnie McGregor, PHD is a clinical psychologist and behavioral scientist. She is the Executive Director and Founder of The Orion Center for Integrated Medicine in Seattle, Washington. Dr. McGregor was an Associate Member at Fred Hutch until 2016. Her NIH-funded research focused on nervous, endocrine, and immune system interactions, as well as testing the effects of psychological intervention on mood and cancer-relevant biological outcomes. She has authored numerous papers on how psychological intervention can influence psychosocial and biological outcomes that are relevant to cancer survivors. She is a licensed clinical health psychologist and specializes in helping people cope with cancer and chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and stress. Her clinical work utilized scientifically proven mindfulness practices and cognitive and behavioral techniques. For her work bridging clinical psychology and biological research, Dr. McGregor was awarded the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Washington State Psychological Association in 2013.

Alison Osius, MA is an author; a writer and columnist who has published in over 40 newspapers, magazines and websites, and six anthologies; a longtime magazine editor, executive editor of Rock and Ice magazine in Carbondale, Colorado; and recipient of the American Alpine Club Literary Award. She graduated from Middlebury College with high honors in English and received a Master's Degree in journalism from Columbia University. She teaches writing and literature classes at Colorado Mountain College and elsewhere. She is also a survivor of thyroid cancer.

Dr. Julie Smith, MD practices Hematology/Oncology at Confluence Health, where she is the Medical Director of the Cancer Service Line. She is a Clinical Assistant Instructor for the University of Washington School of Medicine and enjoys teaching medical students and residents.

Jayne Van Brunt, BSN is an artisan, oncology nurse, and healthcare coach. Leaning on her 35+ years of experience in nursing, she began to advocate for change in a failing healthcare system. She is the author of The Nightingale Gene, a book written to address burnout in nurses and caregivers, and co-author of the memoir Shut Your Mouth. She uses the lessons she's learned about burnout and living with a chronic autoimmune disease to advise others. Her coaching programs encourage women to find balance in their lives through storytelling, art, and cooking.

Dr. Chandra Villano, ND has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She has a naturopathic consulting practice, leads corporate & community preventive wellness education classes, and has a clinical specialty in whole foods nutrition, mindfulness, and environmental/personal detox.

Beth and Steve Wood have a long trail of accomplishments in music. Most impressively they have been together for over 50 years and continue to grow closer as time and experiences fly by. Their work sometimes finds them working together and at times totally separate. But they both share a vision of a similar destination but from two very different perspectives, giving each other a clearer understanding of their shared world.

Beth produced the Laguna Tuesday night songwriter’s showcase for nearly 10 years which became a way station for a tremendous number of highly talented and accomplished performers. Both Steve and Beth have recorded extensively and have numerous CDs to their credit.

Steve was Kenny Loggins’ music director throughout the 80’s and is the most awarded composer of IMAX documentary film scores where he worked with Paul McCartney, Sting, George Harrison and Dave Matthews band among others. They also run a martial arts school with their son and hold 4th degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do.