Our Staff

Jim Carlson is currently serving as our Interim Administrator.  He previously served as ACHC's Administrator from 2005-2012.  He then stayed on as support to the new Administrator, Joy Andersen, from 2013-2017 before retiring.  Following the resignation of Joy on April 14, the clinic Board of Directors asked him to serve in this capacity again until a replacement 

can be found; he agreed.  

During his previous tenure, Jim wrote the federal grant that now provides about half of the clinic's budget, built the Mitchell School Based Health Center, and expanded dental services throughout Wheeler County.  

With the Covid-19 restrictions, he is working remotely from home.   

Carlson also serves on the Board of the NE Wheeler County Health District. 

Susan is the Chief Operations Officer for ACHC, and is also the head of Quality Assurance- Quality Improvement program. 

Susan is an active volunteer in Fossil as an EMT-Intermediate for Fossil Ambulance, and also volunteers for Fossil Fire Department, and

Wheeler County Search & Rescue. 

Teresa is ACHC's Chief Financial Officer.

She has worked for Asher since 2001. She is also the Administrator of Northeast Wheeler County Health District. Previously she was the 

City Recorder/Manager for 13 years. 

Teresa was also the Accounting Manager for Public Health from 2001-2019, and she's been the Accounting Manager for Asher 

Home Health Services from 2016-current.  

Teresa is also a Tech II Ranch Manager for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as being a local rancher in Wheeler County.

Amanda, PA-C ("Physician Assistant- Certified"), has worked for the Clinic since 2013.  Instrumental to many of the programs here, in October 2019 she was awarded the prestigious William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Fellowship 

(to read more, click here).  

 We're excited to have PA-C Justin join our team in 2020.  He was born and raised just outside of the Eugene area and has lived in Oregon his whole life. 

"I am blessed to be married to my beautiful and supportive wife, Krystal, who is also a native Oregonian," says Justin.  

"I attended PA school at Pacific University in Hillsboro Oregon.  I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to join the team at Asher Community Health.  They are very dedicated to their patients, which is one of the things I was looking for in a potential practice location.    

I am looking forward to getting outside and taking advantage of all of the outdoor activities that this region of Oregon has to offer." 

The lead of our medical team is Dr Edwards. He is Asher Community Health Center's Medical Director, and the PA-Cs operate under his direction and guidance.

Dan Allen, Physician Assistant, has temporarily returned to Wheeler County to help support us during the Covid-19 epidemic. Dan started back at Asher Community Health Center on May 12, 2020 and is rotating among clinics in Fossil, Mitchell, and Spray.   Dan previously worked at Asher Community Health Center from 

September 2006 to September 2018.

Medical Assistant Joely says, 

"Hi, my name is Joely Jak Patnode.  

I’m 21 years old and I’m the new Medical Assistant at Asher Community Health Center. 

I have my Phlebotomy and Nursing Assistant certification. I grew up in Gilliam County on a ranch between Condon and Arlington. 

I love the rural area and couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I enjoy the atmosphere of the clinic and all the great people I work with. 

I look forward to working here 

and meeting new people!"

Joan is the clinic's Community Health Worker, and staffs the Community Paramedicine-Mobile Integrated Health program.  To learn more about these services, click: CHW Brochure

Joan also volunteers for Spray Ambulance and is an EMT-Intermediate, and volunteers for the Wheeler County District Attorney office as a state certified medicolegal death investigator. 

 Medical Assistant and Outreach Specialist Cassandra started with the Clinic in 2019. 

  She's a CCMA certified medical assistant, and enjoys meeting patients from all over Wheeler County and giving the best possible care. 

In January 2020, Paul Conway retired from his part-time position as Outreach Specialist at ACHC.  Cassandra has been training with Paul for almost a year, and she will now be filling that position part-time, and also continuing her Medical Assistant work on the alternate days.  Cassandra has worked hard to gain new knowledge and is a Certified Assistor for both Oregon Health Plan and HealthCare.gov.

We are all excited to see her step into this role!

Most of Cassandra's time outside the clinic is with her 5 year old.  She says, "We enjoy going on hikes and going to the movies." 

  For more about Outreach & Referral assistance, click here. 

Ashley Nelson joined Asher CHC in 2015, where she started as a front-desk receptionist. 

She wanted to expand her education, and was given the opportunity in the Dental department.  

Ashley enjoys being of service to her patients and loves working with children. 

When not at work, Ashley enjoys the outdoors, gardening and working in the yard, and spending time with her husband and two beautiful children. 

Medical Assistant Roger 

began working at Asher CHC in 2016. 

In his spare time, he also serves his community as an active volunteer 

EMT and Firefighter in Condon, Oregon.

 Trish, Medical Assistant, 

began working for ACHC in 2018. 

Trish is an AAMA certified medical assistant, who absolutely loves being involved with the patients and being an active part of their health care team. When not working loves to dive into crime mysteries and spend time watching her active children with their many involved athletic lives. Also loves the outdoors and hunting and volunteers with the Spray School Board. 

Brenda Bissonnett is our 

Front Desk Receptionist. 

Brenda started with the clinic in 2019.  She enjoys being a part of the Asher team.  In her free time, she enjoys teaching Sunday school, singing and being an active part of the community.