Director's Office
Kristina Sparks, Director
Overall direction of the Office of Community and Rural Health
Referrals to rural and underserved programs both at the state and national
level.
State and national policy
Telephone: 360-236-2805 Email:
kris.sparks@doh.wa.gov
Community and Provider Resources Section
Diana Ehri, Section Manager
Referrals to program expertise within the Section
Volunteer Retired Provider Malpractice Insurance and Locum
Tenens programs
Information on Area Health Education Centers
Telephone: 360-236-2813 Email:
diana.ehri@doh.wa.gov
Nicole Fernandus, Administrative Assistant
Provides administrative support to the section manager and staff
Schedules meetings with office staff
Questions relating to State Loan Repayment site applications
Processes payments for the Volunteer Retired Provider Malpractice Insurance
program
Processes payments for Locum Tenens program
Telephone: 360-236-2802 Email:
nicole.fernandus@doh.wa.gov
Natalie Gonzαlez, Recruitment Specialist
Recruiting and retaining quality primary health care practitioners
Helping candidates refine their desired placement
Helping communities develop recruitment strategies, tools and outreach
Connecting with national recruitment assistance programs
(There is no fee associated with this service)
Telephone: 360-236-2815 Email:
natalie.gonzalez@doh.wa.gov
John Hanson, Rural Health Specialist
Oversight of the Health Systems Resource Grant program
Applying for federal Outreach and Network grants
Resources available to rural health clinics
Telephone: 360-236-2819 Email:
john.hanson@doh.wa.gov
Susan Kelly, RN MN, Nurse Consultant, Rural Health Clinics
Provides consulting to clinics on preparation for initial RHC survey
Conducts intial RHC survey in conjunction with Facilities & Services Licensing
Telephone: 360-236-2819 Email:
susan.kelly@doh.wa.gov
Kathy McVay, Program Administrator
Information on rules and regulations that govern the state Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program
Questions relating to recruiting providers through the loan repayment
or scholarship programs
Questions relating to shortage designations for scholarship program
Questions relating to loan repayment program transfers
Questions relating to Project H.O.P.E. (Health Occupations Preparatory Experiences)
Telephone: 360-236-2816 Email:
kathy.mcvay@doh.wa.gov
Jennell Prentice, J1 Visa Waiver Program Manager
Finding out how to use the J-1 Visa Program
Finding out how to recruit and retain a foreign physician through the J-1 Visa Program
Telephone: 360-236-2814 Email:
jennell.prentice@doh.wa.gov
Robin Walker, Contracts/Grant Manager
Applying for grant opportunities (Health Systems Resource, Critical
Access Hospital and Small Hospital Improvement Program grants)
Coordinator for Rural Health Resources Live: A Video
Conference For You
Billing questions on our grants
Telephone: 360-236-2810 Email:
robin.walker@doh.wa.gov
Chris Wilkins, Program Coordinator
Request Applications for state Loan Repayment or Scholarship program
Questions relating to applications for either program
Questions relating to disbursements from either program
Telephone: 360-236-2817 Email:
chris.wilkins@doh.wa.gov
Health Systems Development Section
Kristina Sparks, Acting Section Manager
Referrals to program expertise within the Health Systems
Development Section
Questions regarding the Statewide Office of Rural Health
Finding out how technical assistance, federal and state grant
funds available through the Office are used to support community
health system development
Telephone: 360-236-2805
Email: Kris.sparks@doh.wa.gov
Mary Roberts, Administrative Assistant
Provides administrative support to the section manager and staff
Schedules meetings with office staff
Questions regarding pending Health Systems Resource Grant
applications
Human Resource Consultant for the office
Telephone: 360-236-2804 Email:
mary.roberts@doh.wa.gov
Kristina Kernan, Health Research Analyst
Provides information and data on the health care system, health
status, and uninsured and underserved populations for rural
underserved communities.
Health Professional Shortage Area quality assurance and support
Telephone 360-236-2824 Email:
Kristina.kernan@doh.wa.gov
Mike Lee, Critical Access Hospital Program Manager
Information on eligibility and reimbursement for Critical Access
Hospitals
State and federal resources available to Critical Access
Hospitals
Questions on priorities for the Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant
Program
Telephone: 360-236-2807 Email:
mike.lee@doh.wa.gov
Laura Olexa, Health Care Access Analyst
Finding out if you are in an area that qualifies for federal
Health Professional Shortage Area, Medically Underserved Area or
Medically Underserved Population designation
Applying for Rural Health Clinic Status and assistance through
the process
Telephone: 360-236-2811 Email:
laura.olexa@doh.wa.gov
Zeynep Shorter, Health Research Investigator
Questions relating to reports and on-going research projects within
the Office of Community and Rural Health
Information on rural-urban definitions
Questions relating to how to use Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA)
codes
Telephone: 360-236-2806 Email:
zeynep.shorter@doh.wa.gov
Juno Whittaker, Acting Primary Care Office Manager
Questions relating to Community Health Clinics and Federally
Qualified Health Centers
Questions relating to eligibility for the National Health
Service Corps federal loan repayment and scholarship program
Finding out who in the state is involved in advocacy and policy
work on behalf of the underserved and uninsured population
Information on Public Health Improvement Access standards
Telephone: 360-236-2812 Email:
juno.whittaker@doh.wa.gov
Vacant, Community Development Program
Manager
Assists your community to determine which of the many primary
care delivery options (Federally Qualified Health Centers, Community
and Migrant Health Centers, free-standing Rural Health Clinics,
provider-based Rural Health Clinics, or free clinics) best meets
your needs.
Telephone: Juno Whittaker, 360-236-2812 Email:
juno.whittaker@doh.wa.gov
Back to Top
