Carina Garcia

Counties served: Baker, Malheur, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa

Carina's role is to build relationships between community members and community-based organizations, researchers, and private or public agencies to address cancer-related needs in rural Eastern Oregon. Prior to joining OHSU, Carina worked in a variety of settings conducting community engagement in areas such as public health and urban planning.

Carina has experience in providing and tailoring culturally responsive community education, community-engaged research, and qualitative research. She is passionate about expanding accessibility and resources to rural communities and advancing health equity.

Connect with Carina at garcicar@ohsu.edu

Blanca Flores

Counties served: Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco

Blanca supports the collaboration between community members and community-based organizations, researchers, and private or public agencies to address cancer relater needs in the rural Columbia River Gorge. Prior to joining OHSU, she led many projects throughout the Columbia River Gorge that helped connect & better serve community partners & programs to its community members by identifying barriers and creating solutions. She helped develop & implement programs such as Bridges to Health Pathways Program, Breast Health for Strong Families, SOMOS (Serving Oregon Migrants by Offering Solutions) & other health related projects based on social determents identified in her communities.

Her long-term goal in joining OHSU is to help identify barriers and bridge the gap between the organization and community needs, specifically for the most vulnerable. 

Connect with Blanca at floresbl@ohsu.edu

Sarah Swanson

Counties served: Coos, Curry, Douglas

Sarah supports the collaboration between community members and community-based organizations, researchers, and private or public agencies to address cancer relater needs in the rural South Coast region. Prior to joining OHSU, Sarah worked as Grant Management Specialist for a tribal government, as well as a grant and scholarship coordinator for a charter school working to establish community and regional partnerships that support student success post-high school, securing more than $250,000 in student scholarship funds. Additionally, she has worked as a prenatal educator and doula since 2014, authoring a chapter in a parenting book and presenting on topics in parenting as podcast guest. She also taught Anatomy and Physiology at a regional community college and university in Southern Oregon.

Sarah is passionate about supporting rural organizations to advance research and outcomes in areas that are otherwise underserved or lack access to healthcare resource networks. Supporting programs in prevention and early detection in rural Oregon communities is a primary goal in her work.

Connect with Sarah at swansosa@ohsu.edu

Elizabeth Dougherty

Counties served: Benton, Lane, Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill

Beth Dougherty brings extensive expertise in health education and emergency medical services to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Previously, as a Health Education Specialist at the Salem Keizer School District, Beth developed tailored curricula emphasizing nutrition, mental health, substance abuse prevention, comprehensive sexual education, and promoting overall well-being for high school students.

With a background as a Paramedic with organizations like the National Park Service, Beth demonstrated proficiency in emergency medical response, advanced life support interventions, and patient assessment—all crucial skills contributing to comprehensive healthcare. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Oregon University, Beth graduated Summa Cum Laude and spearheaded initiatives such as a rural school district HPV vaccination program as her capstone project. Her commitment to addressing health inequities and collaborating with community partners underscores her dedication to enhancing healthcare practices at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.

Connect with Beth at dougheel@ohsu.edu